Sabah - Improving Turkish-German relations and trade ties are on Chancellor Angela Merkel’s agenda as she visits Türkiye, accompanied by a large number of business people representing Germany’s major corporations. A wide range of investment opportunities in sectors such as nuclear energy, retailing, information technologies and fast train projects are being closely monitored by Merkel’s 110-person delegation.
As Germany recovers from the global economic crisis, Türkiye offers attractive growth opportunities for boosting the German economy. As part of the deepening ties, the trade volume between Türkiye and Germany is to be increased to USD 50 billion. In addition, German industry giants are willing to participate in Turkish energy privatizations due to take place this year. The Nabucco pipeline’s German partner RWE has arrived in Türkiye with important energy projects. The company will participate in the privatizations of Istanbul and Ankara natural gas distribution companies, which are expected to be carried out this year. Moreover, the company is also interested in the privatizations of the Afsin-Elbistan thermal power plants and plants operating under EUAS. Germany’s Siemens is providing technological support for the nuclear plant to be built with Russian assistance in Mersin and will also be in talks to take part in other nuclear projects in Türkiye. Chancellor Merkel will also attend the Turkish-German Economic Forum in Istanbul with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.