Dr. Adem Akkaya, Head of the Representative Office of NRW Invest in Turkey, who describes North Rhine-Westphalia, the region in Germany to attract the most investments, as the ‘Heart of Europe’, commented on the importance of the region. Akkaya delivered s speech in the Turkish Foreign Investments Panel, at which the opportunities offered by NRW to the Turkish logisticians were evaluated. Akkaya underlined that NRW is located at the center of Europe. “With a population of 17,8 million, 8,7 million of which is employed, NRW is the most populous state of Germany. The people in NRW, which borders on Netherlands and Belgium, allocate resources of more than EUR 320 billion a year for private consumption,” said Akkaya.
Akkaya stated that when you draw a circle 500 km in diameter, taking Duesseldorf, the capital of the state, as the center of it, 150 million people are included in this circle. Akkaya added that this figure equals to one-third of the total population and to 45 percent of the purchasing power of Europe. Akkaya continued by saying; “For that reason the companies coming to Europe to carry out marketing, establish their headquarters and European centers in this region. NRW is the number one economic center of Germany. 543 billion of the total gross national product of Germany, which equals EUR 2500 billion, is produced by North-Rhine Westphalia. Regarding the GDP level, NRW gets ahead of many European countries and comes right after Turkey. Per capita income in NRW, which is EUR 30 thousand, is well above of the European average.”
More Than 280 Turkish Companies are in NRW
Dr. Adem Akkaya described NRW as a state, champion in exports. Akkaya added that the most important export partner of NRW consist of the EU countries. Stating that NRW has a trade volume of EUR 340 billion, Akkaya said that Netherlands, France, China and Russia are the greatest trade partners of the region. Akkaya added that Russia is followed by Turkey. “When we look at the status of the foreign trade between NRW and Turkey, we see that the figures have doubled within the last 10 years. NRW owns approximately 28 percent of the direct foreign investment stock of Germany, which equals EUR 640 billion,” said Akkaya.
Akkaya emphasized that the Turkish companies keep up with the investment trend focusing on NRW, which is a densely populated location at the heart of Europe. Akkaya added that according to the trade registry records of 2007, more than 280 companies, the capital resources of which are from Turkey, are operating in this region. Akkaya continued by saying; “The region attracts Turkish companies from all sectors, especially the textile sector, which is followed by the furniture and logistics sector.”
Strong Transportation Infrastructure
Akkaya stated that 18 of Germany’s largest companies are located in NRW, which also includes the purchasing centers of the Germany-wide operating companies, the headquarters of which are located outside of NRW. Akkaya reminded that Duisburg, the world’s largest inland port, is also located in NRW. “The region has 6 airports, which allow more than 450 direct flights to several points of the world. The second largest air cargo hub of Germany is also located in NRW, which has a highly developed network of highways and roads. Germany’s most extensive railroad network is also in NRW. Water way has an important place in transportation and with more than 120 harbours, NRW allows direct passages to the Northern Sea, the Eastern Sea and the Atlantic Ocean,” said Akkaya about the strong transportation infrastructure of the region.
Dr. Adem Akkaya added that as the Turkish representative of NRW Invest, which is the investment and development agency of NRW on the global level, they provide the Turkish companies with the necessary support during the investment processes and grant them EUR 3,000 after the estblishment period.
