Türkiye Reroutes Gulf Trade Through Saudi Agreement

(MENAFN) Türkiye has activated an emergency transit trade corridor with Saudi Arabia to keep regional commerce flowing amid severe disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Trade Minister Omer Bolat announced Monday at a ceremony in the capital.

"We have launched transit trade through the agreement made with Saudi Arabia. With this, products that cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz will continue to reach countries in the region, some through pipelines and some through road transportation," Bolat said.

Under the arrangement, transit visas are now being issued to facilitate the rerouting of goods, with the minister stressing that the measure is designed to sustain trade flows across the Gulf amid what he described as a period of acute global uncertainty.

Bolat noted that the conflict ignited by the US-Israeli offensive on Iran in late February has effectively sealed off key energy corridors, causing significant supply disruptions across petrochemicals, chemicals, and fertilizers. The Turkish government, he said, is actively working to shield the country's economic interests while boosting exports and keeping imports at sustainable levels — aided by production support schemes and investment incentives.

On the domestic front, Bolat said Türkiye holds adequate food reserves and anticipates record agricultural output this year, barring any frost risk. Fertilizer stockpiles have been secured to protect farm supply chains, with customs duties on relevant imports slashed to zero. He also highlighted the country's $112 billion logistics sector as a strategic asset in navigating the current disruptions.

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