Alternatif Bank and its principal shareholder, Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ), brought Turkish companies and key regional stakeholders together at “Beyond Borders: Empowering Turkish Business in the Gulf Region,” held with the support of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK). Senior representatives from National Bank of Oman and United Arab Bank, in which CBQ holds equity stakes, also attended the event, which explored investment, financing and growth opportunities across the Gulf.

Designed to strengthen economic and commercial ties between Türkiye and Gulf countries, the event addressed regional investment and growth opportunities, access to finance, cross-border banking, trade finance and corporate banking solutions. It enabled Turkish business leaders to engage directly with leading financial institutions in the Gulf, creating a foundation for new partnerships.

Participants included Commercial Bank of Qatar Group CEO Stephen Moss; Abdullah Altunkum, Chair of the DEİK Türkiye–Qatar Business Council; United Arab Bank CEO Shirish Bhide; and National Bank of Oman CEO Abdullah Al Hinai. Guest speakers Prof. Dr. Hakan Kara and Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kasım Han shared their assessments of the outlook for Türkiye and Gulf markets, geopolitical developments and regional economic conditions, offering perspectives relevant to investment and growth decisions.

Omar Hussain Alfardan, Chair of Alternatif Bank: “We see strong potential for long-term partnerships between Türkiye and the Gulf”

Commenting on the event, Omar Hussain Alfardan, Chair of Alternatif Bank, said: “There is considerable potential to deepen economic ties between Türkiye and the Gulf through mutual investment, long-term partnerships and new forms of cooperation. Türkiye’s manufacturing and entrepreneurial strengths complement the Gulf’s investment capacity and regional connections. We see ‘Beyond Borders’ as an opportunity to turn that potential into tangible prospects, forge new connections among business leaders and lay the groundwork for lasting partnerships. We will continue to combine Alternatif Bank’s strengths in Türkiye with Commercial Bank Group’s regional experience and reach to support the development of trade and investment between Türkiye and the Gulf.”

Stephen Moss, Group CEO of Commercial Bank of Qatar: “We are strengthening cooperation between Türkiye and the Gulf through new opportunities”

Highlighting the event’s significance for economic relations between Türkiye and the Gulf, Stephen Moss, Group CEO of Commercial Bank of Qatar, said: “Türkiye is an important trade and investment partner for Qatar and the wider Gulf. Our regional financial network has an important role to play in taking these economic ties further. Alongside Commercial Bank of Qatar’s strong position in Qatar, our 35.89% stake in National Bank of Oman and 39.99% stake in United Arab Bank are important elements of our regional presence across Türkiye, Qatar, Oman and the UAE. Drawing on our longstanding relationship with Alternatif Bank, we bring together its knowledge of the Turkish market with the regional experience of Commercial Bank of Qatar, United Arab Bank and National Bank of Oman. This allows us to support Turkish companies as they access finance, enter Gulf markets and build lasting business partnerships. Organized in cooperation with DEİK, ‘Beyond Borders’ provides a valuable platform for turning these connections into new opportunities and deepening economic ties between Türkiye and the Gulf.”

Ozan Kırmızı, CEO of Alternatif Bank: “We aim to be a strong bridge for Turkish companies growing in the Gulf”

Ozan Kırmızı, CEO of Alternatif Bank, described the bank’s support for Turkish companies seeking to grow in the Gulf: “As economic ties between Türkiye and the Gulf develop, we want to turn that potential into tangible opportunities for Turkish companies. Our shareholder Commercial Bank of Qatar’s strong position in Qatar, combined with the regional experience of National Bank of Oman and United Arab Bank, gives us access to a powerful financial network. Together, we help companies secure financing, understand new markets and build the connections they need to grow.

“Organized with the support of DEİK, ‘Beyond Borders: Empowering Turkish Business in the Gulf Region’ brought Turkish business leaders together with our regional banking network and gave them an opportunity to explore these prospects directly. We will continue to stand alongside Turkish companies as a trusted financial partner while they expand their trade in the Gulf, strengthening the bridge between them and the region.”

Abdullah Altunkum, Chair of the DEİK Türkiye–Qatar Business Council: “The Gulf holds significant potential for Turkish businesses”

Noting that ties between Türkiye and Qatar continue to grow on a foundation of dialogue and mutual trust, Abdullah Altunkum, Chair of the DEİK Türkiye–Qatar Business Council, said: “Our aim is to turn these strong relations into more trade, investment and tangible cooperation. We also see Qatar as an important partner in helping Turkish companies access opportunities across the wider Gulf. With its financial strength, investment capacity and opportunities across different sectors, the region holds significant potential for Turkish businesses. To establish a strong and lasting presence in new markets, companies need access to finance, connections with the right partners and a close understanding of local dynamics alongside commercial opportunities. As the DEİK Türkiye–Qatar Business Council, we will continue to help Turkish companies pursue opportunities in Qatar and across the Gulf more effectively.”