Turkish Defence Industry Move up a Gear in Qatar
The second gathering of annual High-Tech Port by MUSIAD that is determined to gather Turkey’s technology giants with project owners and investors was held on 6-8 October 2015 at Qatar National Fair Center. With its High-Tech Port project, MUSIAD intends to bring Turkey’s companies producing advanced technology and target markets together while introducing Turkey’s technological products to the world market.
The High-Tech Port by MUSIAD Qatar event organized with the cooperation of Turkey and Qatar was launched on October 6th with the speeches of MUSIAD President Mr. Nail Olpak, Qatari Defence Minister Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiyah and National Defence Minister Mr. Vecdi Gönül.
Mr. Nail Olpak: “Qatar Economy Doubled its Growth in the Last Five Years”
Taking the floor at the opening ceremony of the event, MUSIAD President Mr. Nail Olpak said, “Twenty-five years ago we started our journey with an ideal of ‘High Standards of Ethics, High Technology’. When we issued our ‘Middle Income Trap’ report in 2012, we conducted one of our studies for avoiding this trap with the theme of ‘Technological Cooperation amongst Islamic Cooperation Countries’ at the 15th International Business Forum. For this reason, High-Tech Port by MUSIAD that was held within the framework of 15th MUSIAD International Fair held on 26-30 November 2014 has been an important event indicating the point Turkey arrived in ‘Advanced and Strategic’ sectors. Back then we witnessed that the level Turkey arrived at technology production was an important point enabling the country to develop business with friendly and allied nations. As a result of our negotiations with our dear President and Prime Minister and related Ministers, we decided to run the second High-Tech Port by MUSIAD in Qatar.”Olpak underlined that Qatar has doubled its national revenue in the last five years and now it featured an economy more than 210 billion USD and continued, “Turkey and Qatar wish to unite the two coasts of the river. High-Tech Port by MUSIAD will witness significant cooperation between the two countries”. Olpak stressed that High Tech Port by MUSIAD should not be regarded merely as a regular event but should also be considered as a civilization project and added that the next High-Tech Port will be held in Saudi Arabia and the fourth event will take place in Kuwait.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Qatari Defence Minister Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiyah mentioned that they believe the High-Tech Port by MUSIAD Qatar would be establishing deep relations between Qatar and Turkey and that would be developing commercial relations.
Mr. Vecdi Gönül: “The Summit of Two Countries’ Future”
National Defence Minister Mr. Vecdi Gönül expressed their happiness of being in Qatar - the pearl of the Gulf region and said, “High-Tech Port by MUSIAD Qatar is a significant indicator of our bond of communion with Qatar. Gathering the investors of the two countries, this event supports investments in advanced technology products. It demonstrates our efforts. Middle East is an important region and Turkey and Qatar are the most important countries assuring the security in this region. High-Tech Port by MUSIAD Qatar is the summit organized for the common future of both countries”.
Turkey participated in the Event with 67 Companies
The project was organized under the auspices of President of Turkey and Qatari Emir along with the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries. Project’s official partner on the Qatari side was “Qatar Businessmen Association”.
Aselsan, Havelsan, TAI, Roketsan, STM, Meteksan Savunma, Vestel Savunma, MKEK, BMC, and Turkish Technic being in the first place, a total of 67 companies and associations participated in the event from Turkey and under the coordination of the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries. The event covered Defence Industry, Aerospace and Space, Naval Systems, IT and Engineering areas.
Prof. İsmail Demir: “We unveiledthe Turkish Defence Industry Products in Qatar”
The Undersecretary for Defence Industries Prof. İsmail Demir relayed information to the press members regarding the developments on the cooperation for defence industry between Turkey and Qatar at High Tech Port by MUSIAD Qatar Event and 19th International Business Forum.
Speaking of advanced technology, Prof. İsmail Demir stated that one of the most important sectors that is capable of representing Turkey’s force is the “defence industry”. “When defence industry products are considered, usually the Western countries come into mind” continued Prof. Demir and said that no matter the worldwide trend, Turkey desired to demonstrate its existence in the defence area and display the level of its technology reached. Prof. Demir also pointed out the importance of promotion, visibility and recognition.
Prof. Demir underlined the importance of the event being held in the Qatar and said, “Middle East stands out as the most important target market and cooperation geography. In order to make full use of this geography in this respect, organizing this event in Qatar, with whom we have good relations, has been highly meaningful. We believe these events that would bring advantages to Turkey and our companies and eventually demonstrate the point our country arrived and help its promotion and thus enable our country to become an essential actor in this arena are of vital importance. We will always continue to support such events and organizations”.
Expressing that this event was an opportunity for unveiling the products and that Turkey took the initiative in this area, Prof. Demir continued his words by touching upon the importance of introducing and demonstrating the products manufactured in Turkey to the countries and geographies that may be interested in purchasing them in their own countries and region. “We deem such events as part of our international expansion process in trade as we get the opportunity to present our indigenous products on-site to the potential customers and users. Surely it is not easy to see the results in the short term. When a new country appears in the market which is dominated by the western countries with quite powerful weapon industries and defence industries in general, it takes a certain while to become known and recognized” said Demir.
Prof. Demir stated that various cooperation and trading opportunities particularly with Qatar and also with the surrounding countries will be coming to the agenda throughout the event.
500 Professional and 100 Governmental Negotiations were organized
General Coordinator of High Tech Port Mr. Hakan Kurt said, “Within the scope of the event we organized, 500 bilateral business negotiations between the Qatari companies and investors, and the participating companies and institutions. Moreover, our companies conducted 100 institutional business negotiations with the representatives of the Qatari Ministry of Defence, Qatari Armed Forces, Qatari ICT Ministry, Ministry of Interior of Qatar, Qatar Airways and Qatar Ministry of Economy. We accomplished a productivity oriented business development project in Qatar and challenged the whole world from Qatar. The actors with business models as well as with patience will be winners in Qatar without doubt. In my opinion, the ones who systematically lag behind Qatar should be sailing towards other markets without losing any time”.
Turkish Technic and Qatar Airways Came to an Understanding on the Galleys: “Business Volume of $50 Million”
Turkish Technic and its affiliate Turkish Cabin Interior (TCI) made bilateral negotiations with the Qatar Airways. As a result of these talks, the studies were initiated for Qatar Airways to utilize in their new aircrafts the TCI galleys that are lighter and more efficient compared with the world standards. This business affair is expected to create a business volume of $50 million within five years.
Smart City Applications and Cyber Security in Agenda
Qatar’s Science and Technology Ministry ICT Qatar conducted bilateral negotiations with 21 Turkish companies throughout the event. Cyber security, smart city applications came up during the negotiations and new cooperation opportunities on these issues for the upcoming period were examined.
