The Turkish economy is in crisis. In Stuttgart, Germany, Turkish entrepreneurs have recruited now to strengthen the relations with Germany. And political polemics. Daniel Heinrich reported.
In the Lobby of the Steigenberger Hotels in Stuttgart, Alper Kanca has not a lot of time. Equal to the Mitfünfziger will keep up with the guards eyes and the open Smile in front of a group of business experts and entrepreneurs to a presentation on the business location Turkey. Kanca, the President of the Turkish automotive suppliers Association, Taysad. He studied in Munich and Vienna. The connection to Germany is dear to his heart: “Our members make each year, 22 billion euros in sales. Germany is one of our largest markets. Approximately 20 percent of our total export sales goes directly to Germany.”
Germany, which is emphasized in this afternoon again and again, is the most important export market for Turkey, and especially in times of a struggling Turkish economy is an enormously important Partner for us. In Turkey, around 7,300 German companies are registered. In Germany, approximately 1,300 Turkish companies are registered.
Alper Kanca, Turkish Association of automotive suppliers Taysad
Turkish economy hit
How much this economy will stumble just describes Kristian Brakel, head of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Istanbul: “The recession has now captured large parts of the middle class. That Not only means food will become more expensive, Inflation simply eats up large parts of the wages of the people.” The Lira fell the course as strong, as the Turkey-expert, industries such as the Export-used-oriented automotive industry, at first glance, so far. This is due to the lower cost of production. On the other hand, Brakel, so be it, that there is a General dissatisfaction in the society is also felt in the commercial: “Because the employees feel the price pressure, of course, there noticeable. This is also true for the suppliers. There are many small and medium-sized companies that have filed for bankruptcy or might need to do. The auto maker reports that some suppliers to disappear.”
Muhammat Yildiz, CEO Of Odelo
Turkish locational advantages for German companies
Also Muhammat Yildiz came to Stuttgart. Yildiz, on the Black sea, born in the black forest and grew up, to talk about the location advantages of Turkey as the crisis. He is the CEO of Odelo, a medium-sized company from Stuttgart, has specialized in the manufacturing of automotive lighting: “We believe in Germany sometimes: We invented the car, and we know how to do it. Especially when it comes to emerging countries such as Turkey, we take the Standards very seriously.” The experience with the Turkish partners, Yildiz, had him taught, however, of a Better: “We secured the site in Stuttgart with the good people who work for us from Turkey.”
Millstone’s Policy? Federal Minister Altmaier and the Turkish Minister of Finance, Albayrak, in October, in Istandbul
Political debates bother
The words of Yildiz’ should act like water on the mills of Alper Kanca. Like a millstone the dispute between Ankara and Berlin appear to him. His Smile fades when the conversation turns to politics: “At the level of business relations between the two countries, no problems. However, these ongoing political debates bother you. They hinder our business and our daily lives.” Investors who wanted to invest in Turkey, felt threatened. Even Turkish entrepreneurs, who would have interest to import something from Germany, were afraid and would ask if you would get problems. It was “all unnecessary”, he says goodbye and high then rushes down the stairs to the conference room on the first floor. He has no time for his lecture.