Closely following foreign market research in order to pave the way for foreign investments that will create new business opportunities for its members and to sign organizations that will provide commercial information flow. EGİADpromoted the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, including the cities of Düsseldorf, Cologne, Duisburg and Essen. Aegean Young Businessmen Association, which has visited Germany as part of a business trip abroad in previous years, provides information to young business people about the economic, legal and social infrastructure that guides trade in the region, and carries out activities to increase cooperation through official visits and meetings.
We have been informed about the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which is the most densely populated state in Germany and one of the metropolitan areas with the strongest economy in Europe, with which we have had our most intense economic, commercial and social relationship for years. EGİAD, North Rhine-Westphalia State Foreign Trade and Investment Support Agency – NRW Global Business Turkey Manager Dr. Adem Akkaya and Investor Relations Manager Akın Okumuş.
Germany, Turkey's Largest Trading Partner
The keynote speaker of the online meeting EGİAD Alp Avni Yelkenbiçer, Chairman of the Board of Directors, made a detailed presentation with the figures regarding Turkey-Germany trade relations and said, “Among the 27 member states of the EU, Germany is the country where 2020 percent of Turkey's total exports and 8.8 percent of its total imports are made in 10.7. It is Turkey's largest trading partner. In addition, in 2020, Germany became Turkey's first trade partner with 16 billion dollars worth of exports from Turkey and the second with 21.7 billion dollars of imports to Turkey. With a total investment of 2002 billion dollars between 2020-10.3, Turkey is among the investment preferences of Germany. The share of foreign direct investment from Germany is 6.2 percent and Germany ranks fifth when compared to total foreign direct investment from other countries. In addition, German companies are actively investing in the manufacturing industry in Turkey and contributing to the transformation of local production and export capabilities.
Great Potential for Economic and Commercial Cooperation
EGİAD Alp Avni Yelkenbiçer, Chairman of the Board of Directors, stated that they want to develop a commercial and cultural dialogue between the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, which has intensive commercial activities, and İzmir, emphasizing that the international friendships that develop with such organizations create an opportunity for new commercial initiatives to emerge, and said, “We are looking for new projects and partnerships that will strengthen international trade. We want to lay the groundwork. It is of great importance that Turkey and Germany continue to be important economic and strategic partners. Because, this bond also stems from the presence of our citizens of Turkish origin living in Germany. Yelkenbiçer said that Turkish-origin business people contribute to the welfare and economic development of Germany with the employment they create, and that more than 7 thousand German companies in Turkey strengthen this bond, and said, “The State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Izmir are carrying out joint projects as a sister region. There was a relationship that worked very well. When we evaluate Turkey-Germany relations in terms of trade and industry, we see that businessmen of Turkish origin have grown, especially in the machinery and automotive industry. There is still great potential for cooperation in the economic and commercial field," he said. Yelkenbiçer emphasized that it is always important to maintain political, diplomatic, economic, scientific, cultural and social dialogue and said, “When we look at the tourism sector, we can state that Turkey is the first destination for Germany. In short, it has a great cooperation and potential in the fields of industry, trade and tourism. As young business people, we are in favor of increasing this cooperation.”
North Rhine-Westphalia State Foreign Trade and Investment Support Agency – NRW Global Business Turkey Manager Dr. Adem Akkaya stated that one-third of Turks living in Germany and one-fourth of Turks living in Europe live in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and said, “A total of 1.472.390 Turkish citizens live in Germany. North Rhine-Westphalia's share in Germany's Foreign Trade with Turkey is 36.6 Billion Euros. The products exported to Turkey from this region can be listed as metal, machinery, chemical products, vehicle spare parts. The main products coming from Turkey are; They can be listed as vehicles and spare parts, ready-made clothing, textiles, machinery, food, nutrition and feed products. 23 thousand people of Turkish origin residing in North Rhine-Westphalia are self-employed. The number of jobs created is 120 thousand. The revenue generated by Turkish employers is 11.2 Billion Euros. 700 Turkish companies have succeeded in making a big breakthrough in this region," he said.
NRW Global Business Investor Relations Manager Akın Okumuş also conveyed the factors that make investment in NRW attractive for Turkish companies. Describing the region as Germany's Istanbul, Okumus said, “Being a company in Germany has financial conveniences. Low interest rates, appropriate grant loans and investment supports stand out as advantages.
After the productive meeting, aiming to invest in Germany EGİAD Information was given on the ability of its members to become partners with companies operating in the region, international cooperation, procurement of German and Turkish suppliers, investment and government incentives consultancy.
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