The Lord of the Desert leaves you in awe

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2 EXCLUSIVE REPORT / THE EMIRATE OF DUBAI by Bilal KOÇAK Impressions Dubai UAE Vice President and the Emir of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; succeeded in transforming Dubai which was covered with the desert, into a paradise for the tourism, finance and real estate industries. The Lord of the Desert leaves you in awe Sheikh Al Maktoum built Dubai, the most glamorous city of the world, by filling the sea in the dessert with the income they received from Petroleum, finance, and tourism. Dubai is the most popular state of the United Arab Emirates, which consists of 7 emirates. God bestowed upon this land the blessing of Petroleum and with the income they received from petroleum the Lords of the desert built the most glamorous city of the world, by filling the sea. In Dubai they reflect a photo of modern urbanization, in the United Arab Emirates, which is settled on a land that consists of 97% desert area. The music videos that show the change in life at the Petroleum rich country, leave no need for words When walking around in the 7 starred Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, one feels almost like in a dream. To just enter through the door of this world famous Hotel, one needs to pay a hundred dollars. To spend the night at the presidential suit of the Hotel which resembles a sailboat rising at a shore, costs 15 thousand dollars can you fit this giant Hotel in the palms of your hands? When you want to try this, you can go to the shore and make it happen through a photography game. IT COSTS A 100 DOLLARS TO PASS THROUGH THE DOOR In order to enter through the door of the 7 starred Burj Al-Arab Hotel in Dubai, one needs to pay a 100 dollars and to spend the night at the presidential suit, one needs to pay 15 thousand dollars. 138 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER 2015 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER

3 Burj Khalifa (828 meters) The architect of the Dubai Miracle: Sheikh Al Maktoum The architect of the Dubai Miracle and a visionary leader Al Maktoum s extra ordinary projects, have transformed Dubai into the world s finance and trade center that it is today. AL MAKTOUM AND HIS WIFE HAYA BINT AL HUSSEIN The Emir of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum loves horse races and together with his wife, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein they are at the Epson Derby. His vibrant personality which he had from childhood on, combined with his background, years later, created a leader that undersigned mind stopping projects. Think about it; transforming the fishermen s town that no one had heard of, into the most popular trade center of the world was not easy. More than an outstanding intelligence and wide vision was needed for this to happen. It also took being a leader who ran towards his goal of reaching the speed of the modern world, with perseverance and courage. The architect of the Dubai Miracle Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum possessed all these qualities. The visionary leader Al Maktoum, so to speak weaved Dubai MY VISION I was in Dubai, the shining star of the Gulf. It has transformed into one of the most popular centers of attraction, through the extraordinary vision of the Emir Al Maktoum. Emir Al Maktoum tells the story of how he transformed the desert into a heaven in his book called My Vision. Dubai is the greatest example in the world, as to how the desert can turn into a skyscraper city through modern architecture. Rumor has it that Emir Al Maktoum has a dream team. The projects produced by this dream team are being brought to life by the Emir of Dubai Al Maktoum and the world s highest towers such as Burç Halife (828 mt) rise into the sky in the middle of the dessert, as masterpieces. loop by loop through his projects that are the center of the world s attention and transformed his emirate into a center of attraction for the world. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who has an enviable creative mind; transformed Dubai into a paradise of the tourism, finance, and the real estate industry, through the brilliant projects that he developed. The Emir of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, created possibly the best model in integrating the Islamıc culture into the modern world and constructing a modern life style. He follows developments in technology and innovations closely. Not only does he follow these closely but he also adds bricks onto these developments and brings to life, the most interesting projects of the world. El Maktum who undersigns admirable projects, at the same time is a sports lover and loves especially horseback riding. Dubai s forward looking emir Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, learned English in London at the Cambridge Bell School of Languages, while there he met students from all around the world and built friendships. This played a great role in the formation of Al Maktoum s world. It had such a significant impact on him that he transformed Dubai into a place where people from over 200 different countries live together with love, respect and tolerance, a place where they want to live. Al Maktoum is at the same time very familiar with poetry and literature he loves reading and writing poetry. When he became the vice president, with his educational background in almost every area, from literature, to sports, from politics to army commandment and with all his experience, he crowned his interesting projects and made it into history with his successes that we define as the Dubai Miracle. His primary projects include; the artificial island constructed in the middle of the sea in the form of a palm tree along with the archipelago in the form of the world, the Burj Al Arab Hotel in other words the Arab Fortress, which is the world s first 7 star Hotel and rises 321 meters high, the world s largest mall, the Dubai Mall. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, added tax free trade to all of these and provided that international companies from all over the world chose Dubai as a base. The Dubai Miracle was born through a visionary leader s mind stopping projects 140 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER 2015 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER

4 Giant projects of the Turkish real estate industry, made an appearance on the world s stage, at the Dubai Cityscape Global 2015 Real Estate Fair. Turkey participated in the fair with 61 companies and took its place as the first, among the 30 participant countries. A wind of Turkey blew at the Dubai Cityscape Global Real Estate Fair 142 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER 2015 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER

5 ARTAŞ GROUP We spoke to Süleyman Çetinsaya in Dubai We sell each project that we build Vadistanbul Bulvar which was launched in Dubai received a full grade from the Gulf region investors. Artaş Group s Chairman of the Board Süleyman Çetinsaya expressed that they received very serious offers from investors for their hotel and office blocks during the Cityscape Global Çetinsaya continued his words as follows, We sell the projects that we build because our projects are in demand. The Vadistanbul project which is realized with the partnership of Artaş İnşaat, Aydınlı Group and Invest İnşaat, has been launched at the Dubai Cityscape Trade Fair with its Boulevard stage, which consists of a Hotel, Mall, Shopping District and offices. Vadistanbul Bulvar, which received a lot of attention from investors of the Gulf countries, with its on-site 220 roomed, 5 star hotel, has received offers from the largest tourism investors of the region. At the Dubai Cityscape Trade Fair, Artas Group s Chairman of the Board Süleyman Çetinsaya, expressed the following as a project partner; Since the day that we launched the Vadistanbul s Boulevard stage until now, we have been receiving serious demands from the Gulf region. When we participated at the Dubai Cityscape our aim was to increase awareness on a global level, in order to ensure sustainability after the Mall and Hotel is delivered. However during the trade fair, we also received offers for our hotel and office blocks from investors. Çetinsaya, made important statements to Ekovitrin on the details of the project and the trade fair. n You participated in the trade fair with your Vadistanbul project. Can we get more information about the project? Vadistanbul is a project that is built on an area of approximately 1 million 300 thousand square meters. 650 thousand square meters of this total area is an area of usage and the rest is an area of social facilities. The project consists of 3 stages. The first stage is completed and handed over. The second stage has been launched 6 months ago, in this stage there are offices, a hotel and shopping mall. We showcased the third stage here. From October on, we will be launching the third stage. In the third stage there are also residences. The Vadistanbul project is a project located in the center of Istanbul, surrounded by forests and with easy transportation. Here, an opportunity will be created where approximately thousand of our citizens can live and work. By the year 2017 we will have completed it. Its investment cost is around 2 billion dollars. n A giant project worth 2 billion dollars When we review projects abroad or here, we see that our Istanbul projects have large capacities and have high square meters. For example the number of Along with the Reciprocity Act which was passed in 2012, acquiring real estate became non-restricted to foreigners. This creates a sales opportunity of percent to foreigners, within the whole industry. Turkish firms participating in this Trade Fair is quite high. This number increases each year and we place great importance on the Dubai Trade Fair. Dubai and MIPIM trade fairs are important trade fairs. We present our existing projects in these trade fairs, and we get to know about projects in the world. We review and analyze them. This way, we improve ourselves as well. The construction industry is an important industry in Turkey. The construction industry is important from a real estate acquiring angle and it is also important from a meeting the housing needs angle. Also, it is an industry that brings motion to the sub-industries. This industry realizes about 25 billion dollars worth of exportation yearly. The real estate industry and the construction industry, create employment. From this viewpoint, the construction industry has shown development in Turkey and will continue on with developments. 144 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER 2015 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER

6 AĞAOĞLU GROUP OF COMPANIES Önder Halisdemir: The Gulf Investors first knock on Ağaoğlu s door ALİ AĞAOĞLU WAS IN A GOOD MOOD Ağaoğlu Company Group s Chairman of the Board Ali Ağaoğlu, who so to speak built a base in Dubai with an office that he opened years ago, was also the business man who received the highest share from the Gulf investment capital. Ağaoğlu sold the Tower which has 140 flats and is located in the Maslak 1453 project, for 67 million dollars to the Saudi centered Şeyh Sulaiman Al Rajhı Foundation, during the Cityscape Global 2015 Fair. Halil İbrahim Demirhan (on the left) who is the Ağaoğlu Gulf Region s and the Group s International Sales Coordinator, played a big role in this sale. Ağaoğlu, sold a tower for 67 million dollars Ağaoğlu s Istanbul International Finance Center project which was showcased at the Dubai Cityscape Global 2015 Real Estate Fair with the Istanbul s Gate slogan, received a lot of attention from the Gulf investors. The Tower which has 140 flats and is located in the Maslak 1453 Project of Ağaoğlu, has been sold to the Saudi Foundation for 67 million dollars. Ali Ağaoğlu said, We made the biggest sale of The Ağaoğlu Group of Companies participated at the Dubai Cityscape Global 2015 with the United Nations of Ağaoğlu slogan and promoted their Istanbul International Finance Center and Ağaoğlu Maslak 1453 projects. Halisdemir expresses that as the Ağaoğlu Group of Companies they realized sales to foreigners worth 2 billion dollars within 3 years, he continues his words as follows, The Gulf investors have great trust in us. Through our projects, we bring in a significant amount of foreign currency into our country. Önder Halisdemir made exclusive statements to Ekovitrin in regards to the Cityscape Global 2015 fair and their projects. n You took place at the Cityscape Global 2015 with your International Finance Center Project. Can we get your views on this project? We promote our project to investors with the Istanbul s Gate slogan. As the Ağaoğlu group of companies we realized 2 billion dollars worth of foreign sales within 3 years. Thus the Gulf investors have great faith in us. Whenever they want to acquire something in Turkey, the The Chief Executive Officer Dr. Önder Halisdemir, expresses that as the Ağaoğlu Group of Companies they realized sales to foreigners worth 2 billion dollars within the last 3 years, he continues as follows, The Gulf investors have great trust in us. When they decide to acquire anything in Turkey, the first door they knock on is Ağaoğlu. first door they knock on is Ağaoğlu. We integrated this as the gateway to enter Istanbul, Turkey. I think this is an important project for Turkey. In this sense, we are proud. n What kind of contribution will such a project bring to Turkey? I perceive this as the new anchor of the economy. Because a financial center is the place, where money is accessed. Istanbul is already Turkey s financial center. Because the banks are in Istanbul and the one who needs money comes to Istanbul. But being an international financial center would entail, the money of surrounding countries and the world s money also to be distributed from Istanbul. In order for that to happen, of course international players need to settle in Istanbul. It s not like they are starving and left out there. They are either in Singapore, or London or Qatar. If you envision this place as a Finance Mall, we need to say come open your shop in Istanbul. Also to those who want to relocate their shops, we need to say, look here is a place with better living conditions, with better investment opportunities, so come here. 146 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER 2015 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER

7 KUZU GROUP Özen Kuzu: Why shouldn t Istanbul exceed London! Kuzu İnşaat (Construction) which is among the largest 250 contracting companies in the world, met up with the Gulf Investors for the second time, at the Dubai Cityscape Real Estate Fair, with its 2.7 billion dollars worth popular project, the Sea Pearl Ataköy project which they are bringing to life in Istanbul. We spoke with Kuzu Group s Group Board Member Özen Kuzu in Dubai. Özen Kuzu made the following statement, There is no reason, why Istanbul should not exceed London. FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HIS FATHER Özen Kuzu s 12 year old son Abdülkerim Kuzu, whom he brought to Dubai, has started breathing in, the vibe of the industry. Abdülkerim Kuzu says that he wants to become a construction engineer and have a Master s degree in Business and states the following I will exceed my father. Özen Kuzu responds to this challenge of his son as follows, We also took over the job from our father and are trying to take what he has left us, further. My son should also exceed me. project last year, we are very happy to be present at this platform yet again this year. We completed the Cityscape Global with great interest, where we got a chance to express the developments in the Turkish Real Estate Industry to foreign investors and where we got to steer an important investor profile of the Gulf countries towards Turkey. We collected numerous request and contact data, for our Sea Pearl Ataköy project where luxury is reinterpreted. Istanbul has become a center of attraction Kuzu expressed that last year around 30 Turkish companies had representation at the Dubai Cityscape whereas this year 61 Turkish firms were represented which shows the strength of Turkish firms, he continued his words as follows: As Turkish companies we are very pleased to be here. Since it is an important fair everyone is rushing here. We are at a better place compared to the past. Istanbul has become a center of attraction. It will also become the center of attraction of the world. Why shouldn t Istanbul exceed London? Istanbul is more beautiful than London. Our project is also pretty good and we are also rather in demand. Our sales, are also very good. We need to place Istanbul ahead of London. Istanbul deserves this. Kuzu Group s Board Member Özen Kuzu commented on the Cityscape Global 2015 which is being followed by the region and the world, as follows, Cityscape Global which is one of the key platforms among the important platforms for our industry, undoubtedly creates an important opportunity for us to meet the Gulf investors. As Kuzu Group we strengthened our brand with a perception of trustworthiness, through the work we did within our country. Now we are saying, it is time to carry the strength of our brand beyond our borders and to globalize. I believe that through this fair which we participated last year as well and left feeling content; we will be getting good results again this year. As a result of the foreign investors interest and the high demand that we received towards our THE 2.7 BILLION DOLLARS WORTH GIANT PROJECT: SEA PEARL Located in Ataköy, one of the most luxurious districts of Istanbul, on a total area of 127 thousand 600 square meters, with an approximate construction area of 547 thousand square meters, the Seal Pearl Project has 9 blocks and 81 thousand 357 square meters have been allocated for its green areas, a pond area and roads. The project which has been showcased for the second time at the Dubai Cityscape Global received a lot of attention from the Gulf investors. 148 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER 2015 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER

8 WESTSIDE İSTANBUL Kemal Şahin: The best country for Arabs to Invest is Turkey Şahinler Holding s Chairman of the Board Kemal Şahin expresses that they are pleased with the attention that they received from foreigners for the Westside Istanbul project which they showcased at the Cityscape Global 2015, he also says that Arabs are willing to make investments in a country like Turkey where they can live. With it s per person green space, large streets, groves and parks, West Side Istanbul is the most valuable project in Istanbul s rising star district of Beylikdüzü and it received a lot of attention from the Dubai Cityscape investors. Westside İstanbul is built on Şahinler Holding s land of 74 thousand square feet with the partnership of the industry s strong companies; Mes Turkuaz, Beyaz İnşaat, Mutlu İnşaat and Mes Group, while the rough construction of some blocks of Westside Istanbul are being completed, the construction of the rest of the blocks is rapidly moving forward. Şahinler Holding s Chairman of the Board Kemal Şahin expresses that they have entered a new era in the marketing of Westside Istanbul which consists of 1155 flats and 116 stores and is located in Beylikdüzü, the fastest value gaining district of Istanbul. Kemal Şahin responded to Ekovitrin s questions on the fair and their projects. n Mr. Kemal, you are actually a King of Textile but it appears that you are becoming a King of Real Estate as well There is no Kingdom, but we are making good projects. This is Istanbul s greenest project and the only project which is also surrounded with a grove that consists of mellow trees. It is located in a district that is in demand by Arabs. We will have more projects in Istanbul in the future. Through those projects we will be assertive in construction as well. THE WESTSIDE PROJECT RECEIVED A LOT OF ATTENTION The Textile King Kemal Şahin is a candidate to become a Real Estate King. The Westside Istanbul Beylikdüzü housing project, of which Şahin is a project partner, received a lot of attention from the Gulf investors during the Dubai Cityscape Real Estate Fair. n Last year there were 30 Turkish companies participating in the fair, but this number has doubled. What is you view on this increase? There has been demand towards us from the Gulf Countries. There was also demand when we came here last year. There is a special demand, especially for the Beylikdüzü district. They call Beylikdüzü the new Istanbul. It is the district with the highest green area. It is considered the center of the west side. We ve had sales especially during the summer months but they usually come as investors. In that sense there has been an increase in our partners. We came here as well. However we make most of our sales to Turks. Especially currently the conditions are difficult; Turkey is unable to clearly see its future. It is an election period, there are terror issues, in such a time of turmoil, all people are striving to find an alternative and not fall into the crises zone. At the same time we are promoting Turkey to the Arabs. Turkey is still the safest place for Arabs. Istanbul is the most beautiful city and most of them want to own a flat in Istanbul. The interest keeps peaking and with this fair it will peak even more. That is why we are here. n What are the aspects that make your project appealing? This project of ours does not consist of high buildings, like the general constructions in the district. It is surrounded by groves from all sides, within it there are 1+1 flats suitable for younger people and there are social facilities. We have flat types in various sizes, such as 2+1, 3+1, and 4+1. There is an opportunity to do sports in the surrounding groves. The district has easy transportation to the center of the city and 5 thousand people will be living in the project. At the same time there are shops under the buildings, we call it the Nişantaşı of the west side. Nowadays it is difficult to go to Beyoğlu or Etiler, this project of ours, is centered while intermingled with nature. From this aspect I believe it is the most beautiful project of Beylikdüzü. That is why we sold rapidly and our prices increased by more than 50% within one year. Some flats had a price increase of 100%. We will be handing them over within a year and a half and by then the increase will be close to 100%. That is why it is a very valuable investment project. 150 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER 2015 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER

9 OFTON CONSTRUCTION Elysium Serene Kandilli Elysium Art Şişli Elysium Miramar Bodrum Elysium Elit Koşuyolu CITY CENTERED PROJECTS Ofton İnşaat which is known for their city centered projects, so to say, has had an invasion impact at the Dubai Cityscape Real Estate Trade Fair, with their Elsium branded Istanbul and Bodrum projects. Elysium Art Şişli Suzan Arar: Turkey has become a country that exports residences Ofton İnşaat Sales and Marketing Coordinator Suzan Arar expresses that within the last years the interest of foreign investors in Turkey has increased and that Turkey has become a country that exports residences. Suzan Arar to whom we spoke at the Dubai Cityscape Trade Fair says; The construction industry brings a significant amount of foreign currency into the country. Ofton İnşaat has launched their new living and investment project Elysium Dolapdere for the first time in Dubai. Dolapdere which is also a favorite spot for the investors; is gaining value through the renovation of the old buildings within the urban transformation project and its proximity to Malls, offices, hotels and cultural centers. Ofton İnşaat Sales and Marketing Coordinator Suzan Arar, who states that within the last years the interest of foreign investors in Turkey has increased and that Turkey has become a country that exports residences, expressed the following, The construction industry brings a significant amount of foreign currency into the country. Susan Arar responded to Ekovitrin s questions, in regards to their projects and the Cityscape Global 2015 Trade Fair. n For how many years have you been attending to this trade fair and can you share with us your review on the trade fair? This year is the second time that we participate in this trade fair. Last year we participated with a smaller booth. This year we took place with a larger booth. This trade fair really appeals to the global real estate market. Various requests can be received. Collaborations can be formed. At the same time it gives us an opportunity, to present our projects to the international market. From a PR standpoint it has significant advantages. This year we specifically aimed to keep our Elysium Art Project on the front line. Because this is the latest project that Ofton developed in Bomonti. This project is very much in demand among foreigners. From a sales success angle, it really gained good acceleration. We can especially say that 50 percent of our sales were to foreigners. The gulf region showed a lot of interest. Aside from that we also made sales to Russia, Azerbaijan and European countries. But most of the demand we received was from the Gulf region. Gulf region countries love Turkey and especially Istanbul. n Can you tell us about the details of the Elysium Art Şişli Project that you presented at the Dubai Cityscape Trade Fair? This new project of ours, is also located right next to the old Bomonti Beer factory. As you know the Bomonti district has a new visionary beginning, which is that the Bomonti district will transform into a culture and art center. This is why we chose the name Elysium Art. We have beautiful artsy details in our project. We aimed to appeal especially to art lovers. It has been built with a single block, 26-storey tower logic. Since the land elevation is high, it will be at a visible level from many areas of Istanbul. It is designed to be completely consisting of 1+1 flats and each floor will have 8 flats of 1+1. We have very few 2+1 and 3+1 residences. We have had clients who requested to combine all the 1+1 on one floor and we have had such sales as well. 152 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER 2015 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER

10 ÇALIK REAL ESTATE IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PROJECTS AT THE FAIR Çalık Real Estate promoted their Tarlabaşı 360 project to investors primarily from the Gulf countries and from all around the world at the Cityscape Global 2015 which was organized in Dubai. OUR GOAL IS 300 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF SALES Çalık Real Estate which realized the Tarlabaşı 360 project, promoted the new Residences which are an important leg of the project, in Dubai. Çalık Real Estate s board member Feyzullah Yetgin expressed that the first part of the residences will be handed over in 2017, he also expressed that they came to the Cityscape Fair with a sales target of 300 million dollars. Feyzullah Yetgin: The increase in the Dollar value against the Lira turned into an advantage Çalık Real Estate s board member Feyzullah Yetgin, who expressed that the Gulf investors interest in Turkey has increased, also said the following, We aimed for a high sale target at the fair. The Dollar has gained 23% value since the beginning of the year. This situation created a very positive effect on the foreign investors. n In 2015, how did it go for the Real Estate Industry in Turkey? What are your expectations for the industry? This was yet again an active year for the real estate industry. The summer period was a little slow, however in the last quarter of the year, when we compare the whole year with last year we expect an increasing trend again. Our expectations in regards to the industry are positive because every year 800 thousand housing units need to be built. Our housing stock is very inadequate. There is a projection for the renewal of 7-8 million houses of the stock of 20 million housing units. Aside from this due to population increase and migration in some locations more production needs to be made. Therefore in the housing industry and other areas there are developments. In the regards to office space, Istanbul needs to change in line with its aim to be Turkey s financial center; the number of A plus offices needs to increase so that we can compete with financial centers such as London and New York. In the general sense, the real estate industry will maintain its active state. n Your Project is an urban transformation and an urban renewal project at the same time. What needs to be done on this issue in Istanbul? Of course, the public authorities and the private sector, both sides and the people who live in these risky buildings, all have their share of tasks on this matter. The central governance needs to do its planning with areas that have resolved the social facilities issue. This needs to be an urban transformation that does not only concern itself with housing but whatever is needed, in regards to social facilities should be done through the local governance s and private sector s development of visionary projects on this matter. This is a chance for a vast metropolis such as Istanbul; it needs to be used wisely. The Tarlabaşı urban renewal project is not only a transformation. We are talking about a project; based on 9 structure isles, within 20 thousand square meters, on 269 plots where almost 80 percent of it, is in the Registration category. Napoleon s classic statement was If the world was a single country, its capital would be Istanbul. In Istanbul the needle point of the compass is Taksim. We are talking about a project in 250 meters proximity to Taksim. Also, under the entire project, up to level 7 there are parking lots. Unfortunately this is not an attribute that you can find in Istanbul and even less likely in a center such as Beyoğlu. In this sense the Tarlabaşı project distinguishes itself positively. Since it is a renewal project, its construction is ongoing with modern architectural elements and engineering elements in the registered buildings. The individuals who will be acquiring residences from this project, will obtain modern elements in a historical environment, in other words they will be buying into a project where they can find everything from a SPA, to a fitness center. 154 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER 2015 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER

11 BEYTTÜRK THE GULF INVESTORS LIKE BURSA AND YALOVA Beyttürk is implementing qualified projects in Bursa and Yalova. This region is preferred especially by Arab investors. Muhammet Uğurcan Barman: Turkey is a very attractive country for capital investment from the Gulf Beyttürk s Chairman of the Board Muhammet Uğurcan Barman expresses that the volume of direct foreign investment into Turkey has reached 25 billion dollars within the last decade, and that Turkey has become a very attractive country for the Gulf country investors. Beyttürk is accelerating his operations, in order to ensure that the Gulf countries shift their investments to Turkey. Beyttürk, who participated in the Cityscape Trade fair which was organized between September 8 and 10 in Dubai, showcased its Lake 360 project which received a lot of attention from foreign investors. Beyttürk s Chairman of the Board Muhammet Uğurcan Barman, who gathered with investors at the most important real estate fair of the world, made statements to Ekovitrin about the Cityscape International Real Estate Fair that took place in Dubai and about Beyttürk s projects. n Can you share your views about the fair? Turkey is a very attractive country for the Gulf capital investors. Especially after the reciprocity law was passed in 2012, the demand from the Gulf countries keeps increasing by the day. As Beyttürk, we decided to participate at the fair yet again this year, aiming to bring together our projects with foreign investors and funds. In line with our goal and mission, we keep realizing projects that add value to our country. Numerous brands from Turkey participated and showcased their projects in such an organization where we get to see real estate projects from every corner of the world. As Beyttürk, due to the interest we get from foreign investors and funds and in line with our short-term and mid-term strategies, with the goal to become one of the effective real estate developers in the region, we took our place at this important fair. We explained the investment opportunities in Turkey, to foreign investors and funds. The volume of direct foreign investment into Turkey has reached 25 billion dollars within the last decade. Through such fairs, we will be instrumental in increasing the investment relations between Turkey and the Gulf countries even more. n With which project did you participate in the fair? We participated in this fair, with our Lake 360 project. Our project takes place in Bursa at the Orhangazi district. There are proximately 950 units in our project. This is a project with a composite concept where we have a hotel block and in front of it, villas are present as well. The project is predominant of the İznik Lake. This will ensure that the region gets developed and also that a new space is opened. As Beyttürk we actually realize housing exportation. Nowadays the number of people buying housing from Beyttürk has passed thousands. This way we create development in the regions and by creating new places in the cities that we take place, we contribute to their regional economies. While there were no Arab citizens in Orhangazi, after our project thousands of Arabic citizens will take place in this region and ensure that the region gets advanced. n Will you have new investments? What are your future plans? After this period we will take place in Trabzon and Bilecik. We will take place in Istanbul and many more cities and ensure that these regions get developed. Within the year 2016 we will again take place in certain regions of Istanbul and ensure that new areas are formed in Istanbul. n Do you have any ongoing projects? In Yalova we have 5 different projects. In these 5 projects we have more than a thousand units in total and around more than 90% of them have been sold. I can say that all of them have been sold to Arabs. Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates citizens buy flats from this region. n What can be done to draw the Gulf capital investment into Turkey? We need to increase our Marketing activities. Currently the true Gulf capital goes to London. It goes to New York. Gulf capital in the real sense is in these countries. We get around % of this pie. The way to increase this is to have a more significant advertising effort. By resolving the visa issue and by putting more effort into it, we can overcome these. This cannot work out through participation in fairs only; we need to ensure the sustainability of this. We need to have continuous presence in such countries. n What are your goals? As Beyttürk one of our 2016 goals is to open our own office in Kuwait. We want to be present in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and be present in these regions as Beyttürk 24-7, for 365 days. By having presence in these places we want to be in constant touch with our clients. There are constant flights to these countries from Turkey. This is not enough to draw investors. We need to be able to feel the professionalism within these companies. Currently we have more than 50 sales representatives. They are able to speak individually with the Arabic citizens in their own native language. As Beyttürk we do not only make housing sales. At the same time those who buy flats from us, are able to rent it out to separate people over the summer and over the winter, this way we are just a phone call away to them, they are able to be in constant touch with us. They can receive services from us. Once we provide these, we can distinguish ourselves from other countries. 156 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER 2015 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER

12 NEWS / WOMEN TO WATCH Communications Leader TAV Corporate Communications Director Bengi Vargül. Women to Watch T he world s largest marketing communications publication Advertising Age, has once again awarded the Women to Watch and who made a name, with their success in the business world. The Women to Watch award ceremony which has been organized for the first time in Turkey, by Media Cat in 2013, has been ongoing in the States since Women to Watch which has been realized in China and Brazil aside from Turkey, awards women who have made a name in the business world, though their success within the passing year. The nominees who are determined based on Ad Age s criteria, are being reevaluated within the editorial standards frame of Ad Age and Media Cat and become eligible for awards. The ceremony which was organized yesterday and hosted by Media Cat s Editor in Chief Pelin Özkan, started with Havaş North America s CEO and futurist Marian Salzman s presentation on Trends for the Near Future. Awarded names After the Boyner Group s Board Member and Former President of TÜSİAD Ümit Boyner was awarded with the Lifetime Honorary Award, with the participation of the women who received the Women to watch title, a panel called Those who pass beyond the limits was held. The moderator of the panel was the Art Leader actress Gupse Özay, and the award receiving participants were as follows; Creative Leader Y&R Team Red Creative Director Ayşe Aydın, Communications Leader TAV Corporate Communications Director Bengi Vargül, Marketing Leader Hürriyet Executive Board Member and Marketing Director Birim Gönülşen Özyürekli, Creative Leader TBWA\ISTANBUL General Manager Burcu Özdemir Kayımtu, Marketing Leader Eczacıbaşı Building Products Group s Vice President of Marketing Deniz Aktürk Erdem and Communications Leader Yıldız Holding s Global Head of Corporate Communications Zuhal Şeker. In the second panel held with the title Those who Shape the Future ; the Media Leader Ece Üner, Design Leader Fashion Designer-Entrepreneur Dilek Hanif, Brand Leader İnci Holding s Chairman of Board Perihan İnci, Industrial Promotion Leader the Leather Foundation of Turkey s 9th Term President Ruken Mızraklı, Media Leader Doğuş Broadcast Media Group s Magazine Group President, Vogue Turkey s Editor in Chief Seda Domaniç and Global Technology Leader Intel Department of New Technologies Vice President of the World Ayşegül İldeniz, gave speeches. 158 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER 2015 EKOVİTRİN OCTOBER