Germany and Türkiye share a strong human bridge built through trade and shared enterprise, said Felix Neugart, German business leader and chief executive of German trade and investment agency NRW.Global Business, adding that more than a million people of Turkish origin live in Germany.
Speaking at the Türkiye-North Rhine-Westphalia Business Forum in Istanbul, organised by Türkiye's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and NRW.Global Business, Neugart said, “no region in the world has closer connections to Türkiye than North Rhine-Westphalia.”
He said this deep human connection is mirrored in investment, manufacturing and innovation between the two countries.
Long-standing industrial value chains link the two nations, he noted, describing Türkiye's dynamism and strategic global position as key strengths.
Germany contributes “technological expertise, know-how, and we bring access to the huge European market,” combining strengths on both sides, he added.
Inking several deals
Together, Neugart said, Türkiye and Germany can advance the energy transition and build more resilient supply chains.
“We can expand the logistics connectivity, and probably most importantly, we can turn innovation into shared business opportunities, and this is exactly what we want to discuss today,” he said.
Several memoranda of understanding signed at the event signalled the two countries' determination to turn dialogue into lasting partnerships, he said.
Nail Olpak, chair of DEIK, called North Rhine-Westphalia one of Europe's industrial heartlands and a natural partner.
Türkiye, with its strong manufacturing base, dynamic private sector and highly competitive companies, is deeply integrated into European and global value chains, Olpak stressed.
DEIK and NRW.Global Business signed a cooperation agreement at the forum, formalising their commitment to closer bilateral ties.
Companies from Türkiye and Germany also signed eight separate business deals during the event.
