# Turkey-Qatar and Turkey-Syria economic relations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-qatar-economic-relations
> Updated: 2026-08-25T10:36:57.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat is actively working to expand bilateral economic ties with both Qatar and Syria. Regarding Qatar, Bolat met with Minister of State for Foreign Trade Ahmad Bin Mohammed Al-Sayed to pursue a $5 billion annual trade target. Bilateral trade has seen significant long-term growth, increasing 53-fold over the last 21 years to reach $1.3 billion last year. 

Economic cooperation remains anchored in construction and investment. Turkish contractors have completed approximately 206 projects in Qatar totaling $21 billion, while around 250 Qatari firms have invested $7.8 billion in Turkey across sectors such as finance, energy, logistics, and agriculture. To mitigate supply chain bottlenecks caused by regional conflicts, both nations are seeking to strengthen alternative logistics routes.

In parallel, Bolat is spearheading efforts to increase trade with Syria. During a recent business delegation to Damascus, which included participation in the Damascus World Economic Forum, officials discussed raising bilateral trade volume from approximately $3.7 billion to a medium-term target of $10 billion. 

Discussions centered on enhancing economic integration through improved customs cooperation and the modernization of border crossings. A significant development is the expected opening of the Nusaybin-Kamishli border gate by the end of the year, intended to facilitate transit trade toward Iraq and the Gulf region. Syrian officials, including the head of the Investment Agency, emphasized the need for large-scale investment in energy, infrastructure, real estate, tourism, and agriculture. Further proposals include the potential establishment of Turkish banks in Syria and the creation of joint industrial zones in the border region to foster production and employment.

## Claims

- Turkey and Syria aim to reach a 10 billion dollar trade volume. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Trade volume between Turkey and Syria reached 3.7 billion dollars in 2025. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The Nusaybin-Kamishli border gate is expected to open by the end of the year. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Turkey is working to modernize and expand customs gates with Syria. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Syria seeks significant investment in energy, infrastructure, real estate, tourism, agriculture, and services. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Alaa al-Ali urged Turkish businessmen to engage in joint productive projects and investments in Syria. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Discussions are underway regarding the establishment of Turkish banks in Syria. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- There are plans to create joint industrial zones in the border region between Turkey and Syria. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A Customs Cooperation Agreement has been signed between Turkey and Syria. (single source)
- Turkish companies are prepared to participate in the reconstruction of Syria. (single source)
- The Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) was established in August. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: Turkey and Syria aim for $10 billion trade volume

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat visited Damascus to discuss raising Turkey-Syria trade to $10 billion, modernizing customs gates, and expanding investment in energy and infrastructure.

20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-and-qatar-aim-for-5-billion-annual-trade-target

### 2026-08-05: Turkey and Spain set $25 billion trade goal in Madrid talks

Turkey’s Trade Minister Ömer Bolat met Spain’s Carlos Cuerpo Caballero in Madrid, pledging to boost bilateral trade to $25 bn and schedule an autumn JETCO meeting.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-and-spain-set-25-billion-trade-goal-in-madrid-talks

---
Cite as: Turkey-Qatar and Turkey-Syria economic relations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-qatar-economic-relations