The Madrid Chamber of Commerce hosted a strategic conference organized in collaboration with the Port Authority of Valencia (APV) to analyze and strengthen trade and logistics relations with Turkey. The meeting, which brought together business leaders and institutional representatives, highlighted the key role of both regions as hubs of Euro-Mediterranean trade and the growing importance of nearshoring in a context of fragile global supply chains.
Bilateral trade worth 20.000 billion and the opportunity of nearshoring
Trade relations between Spain and Turkey are thriving, reaching a volume of $20.000 billion. This was highlighted by Yasemen Korukçu, Senior Advisor at the Turkish Presidency's Office of Investment and Finance in Spain, who noted that it is "a fairly balanced figure for both sides." This solid trade foundation is further strengthened by frequent maritime connections, with 10 weekly sailings between the Turkish port of Mersin and Valencia, and 12 sailings from Istanbul.
Korukçu emphasized the strategic role of both countries as "gateways to and from the Mediterranean," contributing to increased global connectivity. In this regard, she noted that recent global crises, from the pandemic to regional conflicts, "have clearly demonstrated the fragility of global supply chains." This new reality, she affirmed, makes geographical proximity a "strategic necessity," rendering nearshoring "more important than ever."
As an example of this trend, he mentioned how "giant Spanish companies like Mango and Inditex rely heavily on Turkey as a key nearshoring hub for fast fashion manufacturing." To facilitate these investments, Korukçu noted that the Turkish Presidential Investment Office in Madrid offers a "one-stop shop" service to advise Spanish investors "before, during, and after their investment" in the country.
Valencia, gateway to Europe for Turkish businesses
The Port of Valencia is positioning itself as one of the leading logistics hubs in the Mediterranean and Southern Europe, offering a global network of connections that facilitates efficient access to international markets. Mar Chao, president of the Valencia Port Authority, explained that the objective of the event was to present "to the entire business community and members of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce the potential of Valenciaport to improve the competitiveness of Spanish and Turkish companies."
The business perspective was provided by Salvador López, General Manager of Royo at Grupo Roca, who described the event as "very interesting." For his company, "Turkey is a very important country as both an industrial and logistics hub." López felt the event contributed to "providing greater awareness of Turkey and the potential impact it can have on Spanish companies."
The day concluded with a networking space designed to facilitate direct contact between companies, institutions and key players in the logistics ecosystem, thus fostering new opportunities for collaboration and business development between both markets.
Key Questions and Answers
Why is the logistical connection between Türkiye and the Port of Valencia strategic?
The connection is strategic due to the high volume of bilateral trade, reaching $20.000 billion, and the growing importance of nearshoring. The fragility of global supply chains has transformed geographical proximity into a competitive advantage, and both Turkey (as a production center) and Valencia (as a European logistics hub) are key players in this new commercial dynamic in the Mediterranean.
What advantages does Türkiye offer Spanish companies as a production and logistics hub?
Turkey offers a highly advanced logistics infrastructure, with multiple ports and airports, and has established itself as a regional hub. Its proximity to Europe makes it an ideal location for nearshoring, allowing companies in sectors such as fast fashion to shorten delivery times and reduce supply chain risks. Furthermore, the Turkish government offers investment support through its office in Madrid.
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