Istanbul, July 17 (QNA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that the volume of trade exchange between Turkiye and the Gulf countries over the past 20 years has increased from USD 1.6 billion to about USD 22 billion.

During a press conference held today in Istanbul at the outset of a Gulf tour, Erdogan said that strengthening trade and investment activities will be at the top of the tour's agendas.

The Turkish president also stressed that the crises that Islamic world is facing require close consultation and cooperation between Turkiye and the Gulf countries.

In a related context, Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye Cevdet Yilmaz said that there are opportunities for cooperation between Turkiye and the Gulf countries in many fields; from energy and defense industries to tourism and infrastructure projects.

He pointed out that the cooperation will benefit both sides, especially in the field of direct international investments, noting that there will be exports and job opportunities that will help with the growth of the Turkish economy.

In his turn, Chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Association of Turkey Nael Olbak said that more than 200 Turkish businessmen in the council will accompany the Turkish president on his Gulf tour.

(QNA)