A visit was paid to Jakob Andersen, the Danish Consul General in Istanbul, and his team. The delegation included Dr. Mehmet Çetin DURUK, President of the Association of Food Ingredients and Developers; Süleyman ÖZDOĞAN, Vice President; Ercan TOPCUOL, Board Member; Pınar TUNÇKOL, Board Member; and Canan ELİBOLLAR, Secretary General. Information was exchanged regarding the association’s activities and the food sector. It was decided to maintain communication in the coming period and to undertake joint projects.
Jakob Andersen, Consul General of Denmark in Istanbul – and what an exciting journey it has been so far! From Istanbul to every corner of Turkey, I’ve had the opportunity to dive deep into this dynamic market: by visiting Danish companies like Nilfisk, Palsgaard A/S, AAK, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, and Novonesis, I’ve seen firsthand how they’ve made their way here and grown. I also met with the Governor of Istanbul and inspired executives and colleagues; all of them were invaluable in building bridges and shaping future opportunities.
𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠and Can… Open-ended:
As I often say: “No matter which stone you turn over, there are opportunities waiting underneath.”
Istanbul impressed me with its openness, both culturally and in the business world. The people are hospitable, approachable, and extremely eager to engage. I’ve never seen it so easy to set up a meeting; no matter who you call, they take it seriously.
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥:
Energy prices in Turkey have quadrupled in recent years, creating strong demand for efficiency and sustainable solutions. Denmark’s expertise in energy efficiency, decarbonization, and health—including water technology, onshore wind energy, and food production—is of critical importance. Water stands out in particular: Denmark’s expertise can help Turkey address its urgent water challenges while fostering sustainable growth and long-term value for both Turkish society and Danish businesses. At the same time, Turkey has become a key production hub and an attractive location for companies seeking to expand and diversify their presence in the region.
𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝:
As the Istanbul Trade Council, our goal is to serve as a strategic partner and the preferred entry point for Danish companies in this dynamic market. By specializing in our core area of expertise and focusing solely on sectors where we can deliver real value to both Danish and Turkish companies, we achieve success. In the coming months, I will focus on creating delivery solutions that bring Danish companies even closer to their end customers.
My advice to Danish companies: Don’t be afraid of obstacles. Turkish companies are extremely skilled at crisis management. Yes, there are challenges in Turkey, but the opportunities far outweigh them.
