An evaluation on the forest products trade of Turkey and Qatar

Abstract

Qatar, by its economic wealth, is among the most important countries in the Middle East in foreign trade. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt, which are among the other countries in the Middle East, started to impose some embargoes which is named Gulf Cries on Qatar in 2017, and Qatar was both diplomatically and politically left alone in this period. In this period, Turkey's attitude on Qatar's side has reinforced the relationship between Turkey and Qatar, which has strengthened in the last 20 years. The aim of this study is to examine how the economic and political relationship between Turkey and Qatar, which is getting stronger day by day, affects the trade of forest products. Qatar, which does not have forest assets, is also inclined to import partly raw materials, mostly finished and semi-finished products, thanks to its economic wealth. As a result of this study, which has been carried out by examining and interpreting past studies and current statistics with the qualitative research method, it is seen that 2017 Gulf Crisis affected an average of 44% increase in Turkey's total exports to Qatar. The reflection of this increase in the forest products industry, there is another increase of 211% in the Cork and wood manufactures (excluding furniture), 353% in the wood and articles of wood charcoal, and 108% in furniture. It has been observed that the conditions of 2017 Gulf crisis have caused an increase of high value-added semi-finished and finished products with Qatar. After ending the current crisis, it may be predicted that if the positive relationship of the political authority with Qatar continues, the increase in exports will continue to increase.