ANKARA
Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan said, "I consider the cooperation of Turkish-German business world with third countries is important."
Caglayan came together with Germany's Ambassador to Turkey Eberhard Pohl and top executives of some German companies over a working breakfast in Turkish capital Ankara on Friday.
He drew attention to this year's importance as it is the 250th anniversary of establishing Turkish-German diplomatic relations and that is why the German Chancellor Angela Merkel's upcoming visit to Turkey on Monday was meaningful.
Caglayan touched on economy and commerce relations between Turkey and Germany and noted that 5,058 German firms had investments in Turkey.
The trade volume between the two countries has nearly reached $35 billion, Caglayan stressed, and reminded, in Turkey's exports, Germany took the first place and its imports, its ranked the second on the list.
Turkish minister mentioned that only last year, 32 million tourists visited Turkey including more than 5 million German nationals, and tourism revenues hit about $30 billion.
As of today, there were 72,000 Turkish firms active in Germany, he said and added, these firms employed 350,000 people, and in total recorded a turnover of 40 billion Euro.
"I invite our firms to benefit from each other. I would like to say that I consider the cooperation of Turkish-German business world with third countries is important," stressed Caglayan.
Economy Minister Caglayan expressed that German firms followed Turkey's economic performance of next decade and added, "because, in the next 10 years, Turkey will invest $130 billion in the energy field and $110 billion in transportation."
Furthermore, German Ambassador Eberhard Pohl pointed out the importance of such meeting prior to Merkel's trip to Turkey and thanked Caglayan for his attendance.
