Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Ankara, Mohammad Al Hussaini, said Monday that commercial relations between the two countries are set to strengthen, citing growing Gulf investor interest in Türkiye following King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz's recent state visit, during which the two governments signed agreements on double taxation prevention and trade promotion.
Hussaini said bilateral trade stood at roughly $3 billion over the past year and predicted it could multiply two or three times within 12 months. He noted that Saudi businessmen have expressed interest in investing in Türkiye's tourism sector, and that the roughly 85,000 Turkish workers currently employed in Saudi Arabia could double to 170,000 within a year.
The ambassador highlighted tourism as an underdeveloped area in the relationship, praising coastal destinations such as Fethiye, Marmaris, and Bodrum. He said Türkiye's Culture and Tourism Ministry has already begun cultural outreach programs, with academic exchanges also planned.
Hussaini addressed European criticism of Türkiye's engagement with Muslim-majority countries, pointing out that those same European nations conduct extensive business with Saudi Arabia, and saw no reason Türkiye should avoid trade partnerships that prove mutually beneficial.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in October 2006, in its own words.