In this fast-paced digitalized world where every economic decision is weighed through mutual benefits and regional cooperation, Saudi-Turkish trade has become more important than ever. The trade volume between regional countries defines the level of friendship. Gone are the days when political and religious conflicts defined international relations. Nations are going beyond the mere emotionally satisfactory initiatives and focussing on the mutual benefits to strengthen the local economies, especially after the recent global economic recession. Today we are going to discuss the centuries-old business relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia and the facilitating role of certified Arabic and certified Turkish translation services.ย
An Overview of Saudi-Turkish Trade
Historical perspective tells us that Turkey has tense relations with gulf countries but this has changed under the liberal leadership of KSA and reformist leaders of Turkey. Over the last decade, Turkey has not only established but also maintained a pleasant relationship with leading Gulf economies: including KSA, UAE, and Qatar. In a well-applauded move, the Turkish president visited these three countries and signed many bilateral contracts including multi-billion dollar deals.
Bilateral Saudi-Turkish Trade
Key Import Partners of Turkey
Peopleโs Republic of China, the United States of America, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Japan, India, and South Korea.
Key Exports Partners of Turkey
The United Arab Emirates, Peopleโs Republic of China, Singapore, India, and Turkey.
Key Export Items of Turkey
Public vehicles, medicine, electric and electronic products, appliances, and poultry items.
Key Import Items of Turkey
Plastic products, chemicals, and crude oil.
These are some economic indicators of the Republic of Turkey
| Economic Indicators of Saudi Arabia | Figures |
| GDP (billion USD) | 6,838 |
| Inflation Rate | -0.23 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6% |
| GDP Growth Rate | -0.7 |
| Exports ($billion) | 221 |
| Population (millions) | 3.29 |
| Imports ($billion) | 1.301 |
Turkish Saudi Imports and Exports
| Economic Indicators | Figures |
| Exports | 2.32 B Dollars |
| Turkeyโs Imports from Saudi Arabia | Chemical products and oil |
| Turkeyโs exports to Saudi Arabia | Carpets, furniture, construction iron, electric panels, and refined oil |
| Saudi Tourists visiting Turkey | 747,233 (2018) |
| Bilateral Cooperations | Joint Economic Commission (JEC) and Turkish Saudi Council |
Discussing the Key Challenges and Considerations
Just like many other MENA and Gulf countries, the Turkish market also offers rich growth opportunities but requires persistence, great linguistic adaptability, and patience. Another relevant factor is unpredictable economic and geo-political circumstances. Although the environmental stability of the Turkish market has been applauded by many international economic indicators, the biggest remaining challenge is the language barrier. Turkish people are still reluctant to learn foreign languages including English. Language barriers pose a hurdle to seamless bilateral communication between Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Linguistic and Cultural Differences between Turkey and KSA
Despite the improving business and domestic Saudi-Turkish relations, there are ideological differences between these two countries. Over the last decade, Riyadh and Ankara have made considerable efforts to mitigate these differences. The key points of their differences are:
- Huge language barrier
- Different geopolitical and religious inclinations
- Different ethnic background
- A different perspective on religion
- Different views of nationalism and liberalism
Bridging the Gaps with Translation Services
Those Turkish companies looking to expand to Saudi markets, need to acquire the services of a professional Arabic translation agency. The same applies to Saudi companies venturing into Turkish markets.
This can not only facilitate professional communication but also prevent any potential misunderstanding. Professional language services providers understand the requirements of both stakeholders involved. And with the assistance of industry-specific language professionals, they not only bridge the language gap but also assist both parties find common cultural grounds and establish long-lasting business relations. Another important factor in doing business with Gulf and MENA countries is the factor of trust and commitment.
Any linguistic misunderstanding and wrong cultural reference can cost you the deal you are working tirelessly to secure. To start the professional business relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, It is highly recommended to engage with industry-expert native translators. Modern language service providers offer machine translations, translation memory, and many other cost-efficient solutions.
Hire a Professional Translation Partner Today!
The Saudi-Turkish trade can flourish more provided the language barrier is removed. And to do so effectively, you can hire a professional translation services provider. Choose an experienced company that has native and skilled professionals with experience in relevant fields. In this way, you will get flawless translations that can facilitate smooth communication between both parties and drive positive results, fostering better trade relations.
