‘‘Relations between Qatar and Turkey have always been good,’ says Qatari princess

 ‘We will never forget Turkey’s friendship,’ says Sheikha al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani

Qatar will always remember Turkey’s support during these difficult times, Sheikha al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the sister of Qatar’s ruling emir, said, according to Hürriyet Daily News.

“We will never forget the friendship of Turkey and the Turkish people,” the princess said during an interview on June 12 on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of an exhibition.

Turkey, along with Iran, immediately sent food to Qatar after several countries led by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain decided to impose an embargo on the gas-rich country on allegations that it has been “supporting terrorist groups.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he had never witnessed Doha supporting terrorism, adding Turkey “will continue to give all kinds of support to Qatar.”

“We will not abandon our Qatari brothers,” Erdoğan told members of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) at a fast-breaking meal in Istanbul on June 9.

“Relations between Qatar and Turkey have always been good. We have a very beautiful Turkish community here in Qatar,” said the princess.

The princess is known as a dedicated art-lover and is the head of the Qatar Museums Authority, which has a $1 billion annual budget.

She is the “queen of the art world,” according to Forbes magazine.

Meryem Ahmed, one of the artists whose works are exhibited at the Fire Station, said she has worked at a show in the northwestern Turkish province of Bursa.

Hamdi Güneş, a contractor who leads one of the companies that is constructing a subway in Doha, told the Daily News that his firm had been receiving demands for help from local and international companies in bringing in equipment to the country since the start of the blockade.

The metro is a leading infrastructure project for the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Doha.

The key to sectors are construction and food, he said.

“Thus Turkey has turned into a Plan A from Plan B in these two sectors for Qatar,” he said.

Qatari businessman Khalid al-Yazeedi works at Qatar Petroleum, the largest oil company in the country. He says his colleagues will consider Turkey more in investment plans following the current crisis with other Gulf countries.

“Gulf countries are not telling the truth and are trying to isolate Qatar with fake accusations,” he said.

“I know that business people, who want to develop their businesses, are now thinking of Turkey. They are turning their face to Turkey,” he said.

“We will never forget”

“We thank the Turkish government and citizens for their help. We will never forget this support,” said Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Director General of QC, in an interviewed with the Turkish news agency.

Al Sharqi noted that there are numerous extensive meetings held between Qatari and Turkish businessmen to discuss ways of increasing investment and supporting joint ventures between both sides, alongside underpinning Turkish exports to Qatar especially food items.

He extended his gratitude to the Turkish government and the people for their positive situation towards Qatar. He noted that Turkey has immediately provided Qatar with different kinds of food stuff and many other commodities, assuring that there are strong commercial ties between the private sectors of both friendly countries. Such assistance and support from Turkey has satisfied Qatar’s domestic needs, he said. “Qatar’s market is big. It welcomes the Turkish products,” he added.

He said that Turkish products are highly appreciated by consumers in Qatar, pointing out that they are of high quality than other products that were used in Qatar for years. Al Sharqi also noted that Qatar is working to diversify its industrial manufacturing to meet the growing demands of the local market and export the surplus to other countries.