The event covered Germany’s investment ecosystem, company formation procedures, incentives, and legal framework.
The Aegean Exporters’ Associations (AEA) organized an information session titled “Northern Germany – Your Gateway to Europe” in collaboration with the Schleswig-Holstein Investment and Development Agency (WTSH), aiming to help their members gain insights into investment and company establishment processes in Germany.
The event covered Germany’s investment ecosystem, company formation procedures, incentives, and legal framework. Opening remarks were delivered by Hamburg Trade Attaché Yıldız Onur, WTSH and Hamburg Invest Türkiye Representative Ünal Eren, and AEA Vice President & Chairman of the Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Association Yalçın Ertan. Presentations were also made by WTSH representatives Nicole Wallman, Beate Zitzlaff, and Berna Kılınç, as well as AEA Branch Manager Tuğçe Çevik Çeker.
Germany’s Green Transition and the Iron & Non-Ferrous Metals Sector
Yalçın Ertan emphasized the strategic importance of Germany and the Schleswig-Holstein region: “Germany is not only one of Türkiye’s most important trade partners but also a central hub for Europe’s production and energy transition. Schleswig-Holstein, a European leader in wind energy, plays a key role in this transformation with major investments in green hydrogen production, energy storage technologies, and carbon-neutral industrial infrastructure. This event provided valuable guidance not only for exporters aiming to establish companies in Germany but also for firms considering new renewable energy-based industrial investments. Our sector—iron and non-ferrous metals—is among those most affected by the European Green Deal and carbon regulations.”
Projects to Foster Partnerships with German Industrial Clusters
Ertan added, “Collaborations with regions like Schleswig-Holstein, which have mature renewable energy infrastructure, will help Turkish manufacturers reduce their carbon footprint and integrate into Europe’s green supply chains. As the Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Association, we aim to lead this transition. Our ongoing projects, which connect industrial production with sustainable energy, are expected to evolve into partnership opportunities with German industrial clusters. We view this event not only as an information session but also as the first step toward new collaborations.”
Building a Strategic Collaboration Framework
Ertan continued, “We want to better understand the investment environment in Schleswig-Holstein and design mechanisms that open the way for our members. Our expectation from both the Trade Attaché and the WTSH team is clear: to establish a targeted, sector-based collaboration framework that considers strategic priorities. Strengthening support mechanisms to facilitate legal and administrative processes for our companies and developing joint projects in green transition, logistics, and renewable energy will create a true ‘win-win’ for both Türkiye and Germany. As Turkish firms gain production and competitiveness in the European market, Schleswig-Holstein will grow with strong partners who are dynamic, agile, and internationally experienced.”
Foundations for Permanent Production Bases in Europe
Ertan also highlighted, “As AEA, we aim to be an active participant and facilitator in this process. Competition is no longer defined solely by price but by technology, energy, and environmental sustainability. For Turkish exporters to establish a lasting presence in Europe, their production models must be supported by green energy. The information shared today on company formation, investment incentives, and legal frameworks in Germany will enable our exporters to conduct not only product exports but also investment and knowledge exports. We believe that our engagement with the Schleswig-Holstein Investment and Development Agency will lay the foundations for permanent production bases of Turkish industrialists in Europe.”
Strengthening Our Position in the Green Economy
Ertan concluded, “I sincerely thank the representatives of the Schleswig-Holstein Investment and Development Agency, our Hamburg Trade Attaché Yıldız Onur, and all stakeholders who contributed to this valuable collaboration. I hope the one-on-one meetings in the afternoon will pave the way for both commercial partnerships and renewable energy-based industrial investments. As exporters from the Aegean region, we are in a transformation from production to investment, and from investment to sustainable growth. Cooperation with Germany in this transformation will position us even more strongly in the green economy of the future.”
Schleswig-Holstein: A Stable Bridge to Europe for Turkish Investors
Hamburg Trade Attaché Yıldız Onur remarked, “Economic relations between Türkiye and Germany are built on strong mutual trust and complementarity. Turkish entrepreneurs in Germany are now playing an active role not only in trade but also in strategic areas such as technology, production, and renewable energy. Innovative and investment-friendly regions like Schleswig-Holstein serve as a stable bridge for Turkish investors to access the European market. Every step taken today strengthens bilateral cooperation not only in trade but also in sustainable development.”
Significant Opportunities for Turkish Investors
Ünal Eren, WTSH and Hamburg Invest Türkiye Representative, added, “Schleswig-Holstein, with its strategic location in northern Germany, strong port infrastructure, skilled workforce, and leadership in renewable energy, offers significant opportunities for Turkish investors. Establishing a company in our region means access not only to the German market but to the entire European internal market. When the dynamism and production capacity of Turkish business meet Schleswig-Holstein’s investment potential, long-term mutually beneficial partnerships will emerge.”
The event provided detailed insights into Germany-Türkiye economic relations, investment opportunities, company formation procedures, legal frameworks, and incentive mechanisms. Participants also received comprehensive information on Schleswig-Holstein’s potential in renewable energy, green hydrogen, logistics, and industrial infrastructure.
Key highlights from the presentations included:
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Current opportunities for Turkish exporters and investors in Germany
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Advantages of establishing a company in Schleswig-Holstein
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Steps for company formation in Germany
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Legal framework for Turkish investors
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Incentives and support mechanisms
In the afternoon session, participants held one-on-one meetings with representatives from Schleswig-Holstein and notaries to discuss the investment process, partnership models, and ways to benefit from regional support programs.
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