Turkey plans to open a trade office in Dubai, said Turkish consul general Toufan Alpman. Ankara has named Bilal Suruchu as its new commercial attaché to set up the new organisation which is expected to boost bilateral trade.

Suruchu met Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry director-general Abdulrahman G Al Mutaiwee to discuss ways to increase co-operation between the business communities of Dubai and Turkey.
“Trade between the UAE and Turkey last year reached $1 billion, including $750 million worth of Turkish exports, the rest being UAE exports to our country,” said Alpman.
“Our ties with the UAE are set to grow further as more and more Turkish companies are taking an increasing interest in the UAE. Currently, about 80 Turkish companies are active in the UAE, with more companies planning to enter.
“The new trade office will help us extend support to the Turkish companies in making a strong foray in the UAE market,” Alpman was quoted as saying in the Dubai press.
Turkish companies maintain a strong presence in the various trade shows that take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre every year.
Alpman said Turkey took part in over 15 trade shows annually, bringing in hundreds of companies and products to the local market every year.
The Turkish participation has proved lucrative to several Turkish companies, which are opening up to the potential of the UAE as an important centre for  trade and re-exports. The opportunities available at the various free trade zones including Jebel Ali and the Dubai Airport Free Zone will likely bring in more investment in Dubai. The Turkish companies could also be keen on opening production facilities to have products shipped back to Europe and other world markets.