Muscat: Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrives in Muscat on Monday on a three-day official visit aimed at imparting a new impetus to economic and political ties between the two countries.
It is the Turkish leader’s first visit to the sultanate during which he will confer with the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said, on a wide spectrum of issues, chiefly economic, but also on geopolitical matters and potential military-related cooperation.
In a statement to the official Oman News Agency (ONA), Mr. Gul said: “The visit will allow us to review all aspects of cooperation and to discuss all issues related to developing bilateral relations. I am really happy with this visit,” he added, while commending the progress in political relations between the two countries.
Turkish construction firms have been making steady inroads into Oman’s construction and infrastructure development sector. Over the last decade, Turkish firms have executed construction contracts of a total value in excess of $4 billion. A high-level business delegation will accompany the Turkish President on his Muscat visit.
Significantly, Turkey also sees Oman as a potential gateway for its products into the Gulf region. “As for the GCC, in which Oman plays a pivotal role, we have also good relations with this important Council, with a free trade agreement between Turkey and the GCC countries pending signature. While serious steps are taken in this field, Turkey desires to complete these agreements in full,” Mr. Gul said in his statement.
An emerging economic powerhouse in Europe, Turkey currently exports an estimated $130 billion worth of mainly industrial goods into the Gulf region every year.
