Turkish Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat and Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel jointly chaired a roundtable meeting in Lisbon, bringing together business leaders from both countries. The event highlighted the ongoing commitment to strengthen bilateral economic relations and set new goals for future cooperation.
Strategic Business Dialogue and Sectoral Cooperation
The roundtable, organised in collaboration with the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) and the Portuguese Trade and Investment Agency (AICEP), gathered over 50 Turkish and Portuguese business representatives from various sectors, including transport, logistics, information technology, construction, engineering, durable goods, and shipbuilding. Minister Bolat emphasised that the trade volume between Turkey and Portugal reached a record $3.7 billion in the previous year, illustrating the strength of their economic partnership.
During the meeting, Minister Bolat and Minister Rangel thoroughly evaluated expectations and targets for cooperation in the near future. Bolat expressed satisfaction with the signing of memoranda of understanding between DEİK, AICEP, the Porto Chamber of Commerce (AEP), and Unicorn Factory Lisboa, hoping that these agreements will lead to new business connections and investment opportunities.
Focus on Construction and Infrastructure Sectors
Collaborative Steps in Contracting Services
Minister Bolat also held talks with Portuguese Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Miguel Pinto Luz to discuss future possibilities for collaboration in contracting and technical consultancy services. He communicated Turkey’s interest in playing an active role in Portugal’s planned investments—worth approximately $75 billion—in infrastructure, transportation, airports, high-speed rail, housing, and communications over the coming years.
Bolat noted the vast international experience of the Turkish overseas contracting sector, which has delivered 12,838 projects in 138 countries, valued at nearly $559 billion. He stressed that Turkish companies could be reliable partners for Portugal’s “Portos 5+ Strategy” projects.
Porto, Airports, Bridges, and Urban Projects
Additionally, Minister Bolat and Deputy Infrastructure and Housing Minister Hugo Espirito Santo co-chaired the Turkey-Portugal Contracting Services Roundtable, supported by the Turkish Contractors Association (TMB). Discussions focused on the potential role of Turkish firms in upcoming port, airport, bridge, tunnel, housing, metro, and other infrastructure projects in Portugal. Bolat reaffirmed that Portugal remains a leading potential market for Turkish contractors in Europe.
Fotoğraf Galerisi
