Turkey’s Ambassador to Abu Dhabi Can Dizdar

Ankara, (IINA) : Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek and the United Arab Emirates’ Economy Minister Sultan Al-Mansouri will co-chair a meeting of the joint Economic Commission here on Monday, said Turkey’s Ambassador to Abu Dhabi Can Dizdar, Anadolu Agency reported.

According to Dizdar, the two-day meeting — the first in six years — aims to bolster bilateral economic ties. “Turkish-UAE economic relations include nearly all sectors,” he told Anadolu Agency in an interview. These ties are deepening to include “investments in financial services as well as many fields, from energy to civil aviation.”

“It’s important for us to facilitate the movement of Turkish citizens, businessmen, and investors to the UAE as well as abolishing obstacles and ensuring work permits and licenses for companies,” Dizdar noted. Turkey’s exports to the UAE rose 77 percent in December, he said.

“As of the end of 2016, our bilateral trade volume climbed 36 percent to reach more than $9 billion,” Dizdar said. “We aim to boost our trade volume much more in 2017.” The ambassador added that this would be achieved by mutually providing suitable environments to firms from Turkey and the UAE.

Dizdar noted that a free trade deal between Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries would enhance investments in Turkey when it comes into force. On tourism, the number of UAE tourists coming to Turkey — which is now around 300,000 per year — is expected to rise in 2017 as flights between Turkey and the UAE currently stands at 100 per week.

“UAE citizens’ interest in visiting Istanbul, Bursa, Yalova, and the Black Sea regions is increasing,” Dizdar said adding that there are efforts to add more destinations for UAE tourists, especially the touristic attractions of Antalya and Cappadocia.