JEDDAH: Turkish expatriates were present in large numbers at the celebration of the 85th anniversary of the proclamation of their country’s republic at an official reception held here on Wednesday night.
Ambassador Saleh Abdullateef of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the chief guest. A number of officials and diplomats were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Turkish Consul General Salih Mutlu Sen, who recently assumed office at the Jeddah consulate, said relations between the Kingdom and Turkey were historical and deep rooted. The two countries signed a peace and friendship treaty in 1929.
More than 136,000 Turkish pilgrims will perform the upcoming Haj, around the same number as last year. More than 150,000 other Turkish pilgrims come here to perform Umrah every year, he said.
According to Sen, the number of Saudi tourists visiting Turkey is increasing rapidly. Last year, more than 100,000 visitors from the Kingdom toured Turkey’s various tourist destinations. The country’s attractions are spread across Izmir and Aegean region, Southeastern and Eastern Anatolian region, Black Sea region, Antalya and the Mediterranean region. Winter sports are a big draw at the country’s ski centers.
Trade between the two countries reached $4 billion in 2007 and is expected to surpass the $6 billion mark this year, he said, adding that Turkey’s overall foreign trade will reach $340 billion by the end of 2008.
The Turkish contractors implemented $1 billion worth of projects across the Kingdom last year. The size of the work being implemented by Turkish contractors outside their country was around $75 billion, he added.
