After a period of strained diplomatic and trade relations between Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, bilateral trade, including garment exports, has rebounded sharply, according to recent reports.

Following the 2018 assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, garment exports from Turkiye to Saudi Arabia declined to $172.870 million in 2020, compared to $268.612 million in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic further impacted the trade, resulting in a decrease to less than 10 per cent in 2021, with a shipment value of only $14.415 million.

However, recent efforts by both nations to normalize their relations have had a positive impact on trade. Leaders' visits have also played an important role in the normalization of relations. Turkiye's garment exports to Saudi Arabia have surged by 342 per cent, reaching $62.730 million in 2022. This recovery in trade has continued into the first two months of the current year, according to the same source.

Garment exports remained negligible until mid-2022, with a shipment value of only $5.038 million in Q2 2022. However, it increased significantly to $23.231 million in Q3 and $30.231 million in Q4 of 2022.

This is positive news for both countries as it indicates a return to healthy bilateral trade relations.