Türkiye, UAE discuss opportunities to gear up bilateral trade to $40B

Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat met with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi on Monday during the World Turkish Business Council meeting in the United Arab Emirates. The two ministers convened with business leaders from both countries to explore cooperation opportunities aimed at reaching a bilateral trade volume target of $40 billion.

“We discussed the steps that can be taken to strengthen our companies’ participation in joint projects and partnerships, as well as new areas of cooperation—especially in third countries,” Bolat said in a post on X. “We continue to work with determination to increase our bilateral trade volume and mutual investments.”

Al Zeyoudi also expressed satisfaction with the meeting, noting that Türkiye is the UAE’s fourth-largest non-oil trade partner. “In my meeting with Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat at the Joint Economic and Trade Committee, we discussed how we can open new avenues of collaboration in high-growth sectors,” he wrote on X.

The UAE remains one of Türkiye’s top export destinations, with Turkish exports to the Gulf country totaling $8.2 billion in 2024. Imports from the UAE amounted to $7.3 billion, bringing the total trade volume to $15 billion—a decline from $20.1 billion in 2023, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).

Bolat attends World Turkish Business Council in Abu Dhabi

In addition to his official meetings, Minister Bolat also participated in the World Turkish Business Council meeting held in Abu Dhabi, where he met with Turkish businesspeople operating in the UAE.

He noted that discussions focused on the challenges facing trade and investment between Türkiye and the UAE, and that they listened to feedback and suggestions from business representatives. Bolat emphasized the importance of Turkish businesses’ international success in building a strong global Turkish business network and supporting the growth of the Turkish diaspora.

“With the support provided by the Ministry of Trade, we will continue to stand by our entrepreneurs and businesspeople in their international endeavors,” Bolat added.