Spain and Turkey agree to strengthen their commercial collaboration

The Turkish Minister of Trade, Mehmet Muş, underlined the importance of collaboration with Spain, as one of Turkey’s main investor countries. “A comprehensive protocol encompassing various sectors has been signed to boost investment and cooperation between the two countries,” the Minister announced, listing the various sectors “in which trade between the two countries can be boosted and strengthened: cybersecurity, smart cities, artificial intelligence, aerospace, defence, health tourism.” Muş also announced that “work is being done to put in place a Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) line between the Port of Barcelona and the Port of Istanbul, like the one that already exists between Tarragona and Izmir.” “We have to open the way for entrepreneurs; we are ready and prepared,” he said.

The Turkish Minister of Trade made these statements at the business meeting held on the occasion of his visit to Spain, which was organised by the Foreign Economic Relations Council of Turkey (DEiK), the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the Secretary of State for Trade and the CEOE. Muş took the opportunity to point out that his country is “in the midst of an environmental transformation” and thus “we have a roadmap that has been designed taking Spain’s roadmap as a model.” 

For her part, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, pointed out that “Turkey is a priority market for Spain, and we believe there is still plenty of scope for our operators to expand their presence there. Turkey can count on Spain and its companies as close partners for collaborating in the objectives of improving the business and investment climate, fostering the production of high value-added goods and improving human capital. Investments in energy, especially renewable energies, transport, infrastructure, tourism and agriculture contribute to this.”

The Director General of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Inmaculada Riera, also highlighted the excellent relations between both countries “at all levels”; “over the years, there have been numerous Spanish companies which have become established in the Turkish market in sectors as important as infrastructure management, finance, textile-fashion, the automotive industry and tourism.” Riera also stressed the importance for companies “that the institutional and business framework in Turkey be open and enabling.” For the Director General of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, “the EU-Turkey Customs Union is a catalyst for bilateral trade. It is therefore essential that the Trade Authorities of both countries continue to work to remove barriers and implement initiatives to help companies to develop the enormous potential that exists in operations and projects.

Moreover, the President of CEOE International, Marta Blanco, pointed out that Turkey is “an essential partner who can provide the security and resilience we seek in value chains due to its geostrategic position.” Moreover, the country acts as a gateway to Asia for Spanish companies. He also highlighted the complementarity of the Turkish and Spanish economies and their openness to the outside world. In this respect, he noted that “our companies can collaborate in third markets such as Africa on multiple projects.” On the other hand, he underlined the good relationship that the CEOE has with the Foreign Economic Relations Council of Turkey (DEİK), with which the Turkey – Spain Business Committee was created. Finally, he referred to the forthcoming MENA-OECD Business Advisory Council meeting due to be held in Istanbul on 29-30 June. This Council, which the CEOE co-chairs, seeks to give the private sector greater influence over the reforms to the region’s legislative framework, as well as to promote public-private dialogue.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of companies such as Amadeus, BBVA, Caf, Ferrovial, Gestamp, Inditex, Navantia, Siemens Gamesa, Talgo and Técnicas Reunidas.