Trade momentum builds as German business leaders visit Israel

The German delegation includes dozens of CEOs and senior executives from major companies, including Rolls-Royce, Renk Group, OHB Systems and Quantum Systems.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

A high-level German business delegation arrived in Israel this week, marking another milestone in the strengthening of economic ties between the two countries as they commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations.

The 70-person delegation includes industry leaders and senior officials from the German Ministry of Economics and is headed by Tobias Meyer, chairman of the global shipping group DHL.

The visit follows closely on the heels of a large Indian business delegation in November and comes amid what Israeli officials describe as growing momentum in Israel’s foreign trade relations.

Israeli exports to Germany totaled $2.3 billion in the first nine months of 2025, a 25% increase compared to the same period last year. Imports from Germany reached $4.5 billion over the same period, remaining at a similar level year-on-year.

“The figures reflect a very positive trend and point to a real window of opportunity for deepening partnerships with Israel’s closest allies,” a senior official from the Foreign Trade Administration at the Ministry of Economy said.

“Germany is one of Israel’s most important trading partners, and this delegation underscores the mutual interest in expanding cooperation.”

The German delegation includes dozens of CEOs and senior executives from major companies, including Rolls-Royce, Renk Group, OHB Systems and Quantum Systems.

Many of the participants operate in defense-related industries, aviation, space technologies and drones, areas where Israeli innovation has drawn increasing attention from German industry.

Meyer said the visit highlights the strategic importance of Israel for German companies. “Israel is a global hub for advanced technologies and innovation,” he said.

“For companies like DHL, collaboration with Israeli firms opens new possibilities in smart logistics, automation and resilience across global supply chains.”

Officials on both sides emphasized the complementary nature of the two economies.

Germany is widely regarded as a leading industrial power, supported by its strong Mittelstand of small and medium-sized manufacturers alongside global corporations.

Israel, by contrast, is dominated by technology-driven startups focused on deeptech fields such as cybersecurity, fintech, robotics and smart logistics.

“This combination works exceptionally well in practice,” an Israeli economy ministry official said, noting that companies such as SAP, Siemens, Bosch, Bayer, Volkswagen and Deutsche Telekom already operate research and development centers, investment arms and innovation hubs in Israel.

The visit also fits into a broader push by Israel to expand trade ties worldwide. In recent months, Israel hosted a major Indian delegation, signed a free trade agreement with Costa Rica, and concluded an agricultural agreement with the United States as part of a broader tariff deal.

The Foreign Trade Administration expects more than 100 Israeli business delegations to visit Germany next year, an unprecedented level of activity.

“Our focus is on sectors where Israeli technology meets strong demand in German industry,” the official said. “The potential on both sides is far from exhausted.”