Turkish and Spanish Business Communities Convened in Madrid
Over 200 bilateral business meetings were held during the program organized by the Türkiye Exporters' Assembly (TİM), where a cooperation agreement was signed between TİM and the Madrid Chamber of Commerce.
The trade delegation program held in Madrid, the capital of Spain, under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade and organized by the Türkiye Exporters' Assembly (TİM), brought together representatives of the Turkish and Spanish business worlds. The program was chaired by TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe and attended by the Republic of Türkiye's Ambassador to Madrid, Nüket Küçükel Ezberci, along with numerous businesspeople from both countries.
Within the scope of the event, representatives of 24 Turkish exporting companies met with Spanish businesspeople and held over 200 bilateral business meetings, aiming particularly to boost exports and develop new business collaborations.
During the program, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement was signed between the Türkiye Exporters' Assembly (TİM) and the Madrid Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The agreement, signed by TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe and Angel Asensio Laguna, Chairman of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce and Industry, seeks to strengthen cooperation between the two institutions through information exchange, joint projects, and the development of investment opportunities.
“Our Bilateral Relations Have Reached the Level of a Comprehensive Partnership”
In his address during the program, TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe expressed satisfaction with the deepening economic relations between the two countries, stating their ambition to further enhance trade cooperation.
Highlighting Spain's historic role as a key player in global trade, Gültepe emphasized, “By linking Europe to other continents through geographical discoveries, Spain has played a pioneering role in integrating the world economy. Over time, our bilateral relations have strengthened across cultural, economic, and political spheres, reaching the level of a comprehensive partnership today.”
Trade Volume Approaches 20 Billion Dollars
Gültepe noted that as of 2024, Türkiye's exports to Spain amounted to $9.8 billion, while imports stood at $9.4 billion during the same period. He also highlighted first-quarter figures, stating that exports reached $2.5 billion and imports $2.2 billion in the first three months of the year.
“Spain ranks as Türkiye's seventh-largest export destination and eighth-largest import partner. Last year, 7,300 of our companies exported to Spain,” Gültepe said, naming automotive, ready-to-wear, chemicals, electrical-electronics, and steel as the leading export sectors.
Stressing the goal of raising bilateral trade volume to €25 billion, Gültepe stated, “To reach this target, we must take more decisive and intensive steps. Strengthening cooperation across sectors ranging from defense and energy to textiles and informatics is among our top priorities.” He also pointed to the strategic positioning of Türkiye and Spain as a source of economic opportunity that should be leveraged more effectively in bilateral cooperation.
“Surpassing the Current Level is Both Possible and Necessary”
Türkiye's Ambassador to Madrid, Nüket Küçükel Ezberci, remarked that the relations between the two nations represent a robust partnership model based on mutual trust and shared interests, adding that the current cooperation reflects only a portion of the potential.
Emphasizing that trade and investment ties rest on solid foundations, Ezberci stated, “Our present standing reflects only a fraction of our potential. Much more is not only possible but essentially necessary.”
She noted that collaborations concentrated in traditional sectors such as automotive, textiles, machinery, plastics, and iron-steel have reinforced mutual trust, while underlining the need for diversification to adapt to global transformations.
Emphasis on High-Value and Innovative Sectors
Ezberci declared, “Enhancing cooperation in high-value-added and innovative sectors such as defense industry, health technologies, finance, renewable energy, environment, water management, logistics, and digital technologies is among our priorities.”
She emphasized that partnerships developed in these fields would herald a new chapter in bilateral relations, adding that the €25 billion trade volume target set during the 8th Türkiye-Spain Intergovernmental Summit held last year by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is a testament to this shared vision.
JETCO and TİM Visit Underscored
Ezberci also highlighted that the upcoming visit of Spain's Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, Carlos Cuerpo, to Türkiye on May 29 as part of the Economic and Trade Joint Committee (JETCO) meeting, represents another strong expression of this mutual will.
She further noted that the comprehensive delegation visit of the Türkiye Exporters' Assembly (TİM) to Madrid is a tangible reflection of the cooperative spirit between the two nations.
Concluding her remarks, Ezberci expressed hope for productive meetings during the delegation program and conveyed her wish for the establishment of permanent, sustainable, and mutually beneficial partnerships as an outcome of the event.
“Türkiye Stands Out as a Strategic Partner”
Chairman of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Angel Asensio Laguna, stated in his speech that the two countries are entering a pivotal period for enhancing economic ties. He emphasized that Türkiye is a significant partner for Spanish companies due to its strategic location and economic potential.
Describing Türkiye as a natural bridge between Europe and Asia, Asensio Laguna said, “With a population exceeding 85 million and a robust domestic market, Türkiye possesses a compelling economic structure. According to IMF data, a growth rate of 3% is projected through 2025, making the country an attractive market for Spanish enterprises.”
“Spain is the Largest Foreign Investor in Türkiye”
Recalling that Spain is one of Türkiye's leading trade partners within the European Union, Asensio Laguna noted, “In 2022, Spain became the largest foreign investor in Türkiye. Both governments have clearly expressed their commitment to further deepen these relations.”
Strong Support from Madrid Chamber of Commerce
Underscoring the importance of meetings aimed at advancing bilateral relations, Laguna stated, “As the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, we will continue to strongly support such gatherings, as we believe that cooperation is the driving force behind economic growth.”
Referring to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Türkiye Exporters' Assembly (TİM) and Spanish companies during the event, Laguna asserted, “This agreement will promote information exchange, the investment environment, and joint projects, providing reciprocal benefits for the business communities of both nations.”