BİNALİ YILDIRIM
by Bilal KOÇAK
bilalkocak@ekovitrin.com
Big investments are
being completed
STARTED AS
LIGHTNING
One of the most successful ministries of the history
of Republic Binali Yıldırım, after the November 1st
elections, when AK Party formed the government,
for the 5th time appointed to Minister of Transport,
Maritime Affairs and Communication. Yıldırım says
that huge projects he has started in his previous
period of Ministry will be completed rapidly.
I
WILL BE THE 4TH BIGGEST BRIDGE
Gebze-Orhangazi-İzmir Highway Project is 433 kilometers. Within the context
of this project, İzmit Bay Transit Bridge will be the 4th biggest bridge all over
the world with respect to its span. The target is completion of the bridge pass
within the first half of this year. Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and
Communication Binali Yıldırım controlled the works at İzmit Bay Transit Bridge and
received information from the authorities.
2
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
n the 58th, 59th, 60th and
61st governments run the
Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication Binali Yıldırım, got back
on his task in the 64th Government to complete the projects
he started. Leaving his mark to
the last 13 years with the projects
important from each other he
started in the fields of Transport,
Maritime Affairs and Communication, the legend Minister Yıldırım, after his duty of principal
consultant of President Recep
Tayyip Erdoğan, for the 5th
time got back on task following
November 1st elections. Yıldırım,
who is mentioned as one of the
most successful ministries of the
history of Republic, says he will
resume on the huge investments.
YILDIRIM: DREAMS CAME TRUE
“Most of the projects made until today
were only dreams until 13 years ago.
Right now, all of them came true. Do our
math studiously; we will continue progress
by making the development of Turkey, the
future of Turkey our business.”
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
3
INTERVIEW / BİNALİ YILDIRIM
THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE
COUNTRY WILL BE SPINNED
WITH RAIL NETWORK
The targets of reaching 25
thousand kilometers rail network
until 2023 and to make all the
network electrified and signalized
have been determined. In our
country met High Speed Trains
in 2009, the length of high-speed
and speed lines reached to 1.213
kilometers. Target for 2023
is extending this length to 12
thousand kilometers.
‘We have carried into effect the
projects whole world admire enviously’
“Transportation sector is an important service industry that
one of the basic driving powers in economic development
and contributing the public welfare. In other meaning it is
the locomotive of economic and social development.”
M
inister of Transport,
Maritime Affairs and
Communication Binali
Yıldırım has got signatures under
the projects which will provide
rapid development of Turkey
in the fields of transportation,
aviation and communication. For
the 5th time occupying the seat
of ministry, during Yıldırım’s last
period of Ministry, investments
over 500 billion TRL have been
started. Minister Yıldırım actively
works to complete these huge
projects. Yıldırım gives the good
news about many projects such
as notably being the first stage
of İstanbul New Airport, Yavuz
Sultan Selim Bridge, İstanbul –
İzmir highway project, Eurasia
Tunnel, new airports, High-Speed
train projects will be actualized
until the year 2019. Yıldırım also
states that Channel İstanbul project is one of the projects which
4
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
will wing Turkey. Proving his
success with the works during his
active ministry period, Minister
Binali Yıldırım made important
statements to Ekovitrin.
n Following your successful
efforts in 58th, 59th, 60th
and 61st governments, you
have been appointed again
in 64th Government and 5th
time you took the wheel in
Transport, Maritime Affairs and
Communication Ministry. In
fact, you are the name identified
with the Ministry. Can we get
to know about your feelings and
thoughts?
On the name of AK Party
Governments that they have
signatures under many projects
stepping our country into new
age in the fields of transportation
and communication, to serve in
this position entrusted by our
nation, for 11 years became vouchsafed to me. Within the period
of this time, together with my
collegeaus, without abstain from
any self-abnegation, we have started many projects together, we
have achieved together. We have
materialized the projects whole
world admire enviously. Because
we know that; transportation
sector is an important service
industry that one of the basic driving powers in economic development and contributing the public
welfare. In other meaning it is
the locomotive of economic and
social development. The spurts
we made with respect to industry, the investments we made,
long-term determined visions,
certainly provided acquisitions to
carry our country to the level of
contemporary civilizations and
will continue to provide.
n During the period of your
ministry, many projects
important from each other
materialized. Among these
projects which one or ones more
important in your opinion?
We give great emphasize on
each project we have materialized.
But, you know, there are huge
projects of us. We have completed
a project such as Marmaray and
put it into our nation’s disposal.
As you know, Eurasia Tunnel project still in progress. It is a project
taking place immediate south of
Marmaray, progressing under the
sea and ground throughout 14.5
kilometers. It is a sizeable project.
TBM-Tunnel Boring Machine
started excavation on April 19,
2014. The 3 thousand 340 meters
long TBM excavation completed
on the date of August 25, 2015.
Upper floor road slab, 2 thousand
967 meter advancement has been
achieved. Also in NATM excavations, 969 meters in direction of
Asia and 923 meters in direction
of Europe have been completed.
Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge
Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge;
the works continue on this bridge
too. Orbital road route, connection accession roads are being
Gebze-Orhangazi-İzmir
Highway Project
Another built-operate-transfer model project of us is Gebze-Orhangazi-İzmir Highway
Project. It is total 433 kilometers.
Within the context of this project,
İzmit Bay Transit Bridge will be
the 4th biggest bridge all over the
world with respect to its span. The
target is completion of the bridge
pass within first half of this year.
Besides, until the end of 2016, we
are targeting 98 kilometers part
of the project, including 45 km
total consist of Kemalpaşa-Bornova-Coach Station Junction (20
km) and Orhangazi-Bursa Periphery Road (25 km), open to traffic.
İstanbul-Çanakkale
Highway Project
constructed as well. Until today,
reinforced concrete productions
at both towers of the bridge have
been completed. On both sides,
100% of reinforced concrete
bridge deck slabs have been completed. On Asian and European
sides assembly of steel bridge
deck slabs are 95% completed.
Stayed cable assemblies are being
carried on parallel to bridge deck
slabs.
We have the Highway Project
which will connect İstanbul to
Çanakkale and then to North Aegean. The total length of the road
is 352 kilometers including access
roads. This project we will actualize with built-operate-transfer
model will establish an alternative
to Istanbul pass for connection of
Thracia – Anatolia via Çanakkale
Dardanelles Bridge. Presently EIA
(Environmental Impact Assessment) procedure is in the final
stage. Following the preparation
period, the tender works will start.
Completion of 52 km long section
where Çanakkale Bridge takes
place has been targeted in December 2019. Çanakkale Bridge with
its 2 thousand 23 meters central
span will be the longest suspension
bridge all over the world. Whole
of the project will be completed in
the year 2023. All of what I told up
to now were dreams until 13 years
ago. Now, all of them came true.
By doing our math studiously; we
will continue progress by making
the development of Turkey, the
future of Turkey our business.
n In those 13 years period
under AK party government, in
which direction the contribution
of the projects in the fields of
transportation, maritime affairs
and communication realized. In
this 13 years period, what amount
of projects has been materialized?
What is the total investment
amount of these projects?
We always say; development is
not possible for any unreachable,
inaccessible place. Particularly, it
is not even a matter of discussion
being unreachable, inaccessible for
Turkey having a target of increasing exports to 500 billion US Dollars. Here, with this respect, since
2003 we made 253.3 billion TRL
investments into transportation
and communication industries. My
ministry actualized huge projects
which will change the countenance
of Turkey and will add its value in
international area, and still relentlessly goes on. These investments
show their results with the increase
of standards in social and economic areas of Turkey.
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
5
INTERVIEW / BİNALİ YILDIRIM
“We have stepped into a new age in Informatics”
Our works on the way of information society continue at full stream.
Totaling 13.8 billion US Dollars of the information sector revenues in
2003; exceeded 31 billion US Dollars. The role of marketization is great
in this. While the number of broadband subscribers was 20 thousand,
today came on 47 million. The length of our fiber line reached to 256
thousand 829 kilometers, and the number of fiber subscribers exceeded 1.6 million. While the number of mobile subscribers 27.8 million
in 2003, today it became 73.5 million. The rate of 14 percent mobile
voice traffic in total voice traffic of 2003 scaled up to 94 percent. With
the regulations made, being the tariffs suitable to the budget of people
became effective on the increase of talk times. The monthly mobile
phone talk time of 404 minutes/month of Turkey is high above the 248
minutes/month European average.
“Our 75 provinces connected to each other with divided roads”
While 13 years ago, only 6 provinces of us connected to each
other with divided roads, today 75 provinces of us connected to each
other with divided roads. The length of our divided roads reached
from 6 thousand 101 kilometers to 24 thousand 280 kilometers. The
length of our highways reached from 1.714 kilometers to 2 thousand
289 kilometers. It is planned to reach 8 thousand kilometers highway
network until 2023.
“25 thousand km railway network will be tracked”
Our works in railway sector gain great momentum during the
last 13 years. Today, we have 12 thousand 485 kilometers railway
network. The targets of reaching 25 thousand kilometers network
and bring all the network electrified and signalized have been determined. In our country met with High-Speed trains in 2009, the length
of High-Speed and Speed Lines extended to 1.213 kilometers. Our
target for 2023 is to extend this length to 12 thousand kilometers.
Turkey has got the title of the 8th biggest High-Speed Train Operator of World and 6th biggest of Europe. Presently our provinces of
Ankara, Eskişehir, Konya and İstanbul are the most significant components of our High-Speed Train network. Our works to extend our
High-Speed and Speed Train network to Afyon, Uşak İzmir, Bursa,
Yozgat, Sivas and Erzincan are progressing.
“Our target is to take place within the top ten of the world”
Maritime activities also carry great importance for our country surrounded on three sides by sea. There are important works are carried
on maritime with respect to take place in the largest ten economies of
the world. Turkish owned merchant marine fleet was on the 19th rank
in 2003; today it is on the 13th rank. Our 2023 target is to take place in
the top ten countries in this matter by increasing Turkish Owned Merchant Marine Fleet to 50 million DWT. The number of our shipyards
increased from 37 to 77. While 13 years ago our yacht mooring capacity
was 8 thousand 500, reached to 17 thousand 816 in 2015.
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EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
n What will be your priorities
during the period of your
5th Ministry? In which areas
the investments will gain
importance?
As you know, there is our year
2023 vision. The aim of this vision
is to effectuate a sustainable
transportation system contributing to the competitiveness of
our country and leverage the
standard of living the society;
reliable, accessible, comfortable, fast, environment sensitive,
uninterrupted, balanced, and
contemporary services provided.
The primary element in this vision is human, serving to human.
Within this frame, we clarify the
photograph of Turkey we aimed
to see in 2023. On the roads, with
its divided roads, operationalized
and newly opened corridors, with
the road investments integrated
with other transportation modes,
with huge projects such as Third
Bridge, Eurasia Tunnel, İzmit Bay
Transit, with highways, there will
be a Turkey completed its road
infrastructure. With offshore
structures, large harbors, with
shipyards branding our country in
ship building, with our powerful
merchant marine fleet, will be a
country again invoking our identity of a sea country.
There will be a Turkey,
strengthen not only its regional its
position but it’s intercontinental
position as well with the new airports, certainly with the Istanbul
third airport, having a voice in
aviation industry and producing
its own national satellite. There
will be a Turkey stepping in
Information Society, having producer quality in Informatics and
software. We have never aborted
any work up until now. In our
new period, we will maintain the
investments rapidly. We will carry
forward our country by means of
much more bigger investments.
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
7
“WE CAN GENERATE
35
Ağaoğlu Group of Companies CEO
Dr. Önder Halisdemir:
“As you know, many countries attract
investors by ‘second home’ program.
By being Ağaoğlu we would like to make
a value suggestion by Second Home
Program for both our sector and to our
government. A program enables people
all around the world who buy a certain
amount of real estate from Turkey,
effortlessly take up residential permit and
after 5 years, have the citizenship rights.
With implementation of this program, it is
possible to generate 35 billion US Dollars
annual revenue by targeting to receive 1
million world citizens to our country.”
BILLION US
DOLLARS
ANNUAL
INCOME BY SECOND
HOME PROGRAM”
by KAMURAN ABACIOĞLU
haber@ekovitrin.com
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EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
“Second Home” on the World
With the ‘Second Home’ program implemented in 22
countries of the World including England, Spain and
Greece, the foreigners who invest the determined
amount of real estate investments, provide input
by naturalized by that country within 5 years. In
countries like Spain and Portugal, this amount has
been determined as 500 thousand Euros.
Dr. Önder Halisdemir
Ağaoğlu Group of Companies CEO
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
9
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
is a good barrier. We have foreseen that, at the first
stage, in a short-term, 100 thousand people will show
interest on this program. This provides 35 billion US
Dollars currency input. Construction sector creates a
value with little or nothing imported.
DR. ÖNDER HALİSDEMİR:
It is possible to attract investors to the
country by means of Second Home program
“22 countries of the World attract investors to their countries by Second
Home program. By being Ağaoğlu, with Second Home program we have
prepared a suggestion of value both to our sector and our government. If this
program actualizes, we generate 35 billion US Dollars annual revenue.”
B
eing one of first companies come to the
minds when it is said real estate, construction and residence Ağaoğlu Group of
Companies conducts its mission of being
pioneer in the sector with International Istanbul
Finance Center and Second Home Program besides its ongoing residence projects. Verbalizing that
the way for selling to foreigners by the Law of Reciprocity, Ağaoğlu Group of Companies CEO, Dr.
Önder Halisdemir; told that, “Coming out of the
real estates and properties of Turkey past 3 years.
If we go through the proper channels, we can increase the present amount of annual sales of 3-3.5
billion US Dollars to 10 billion US Dollars for foreigners. Halisdemir, by drawing attention to sales
to foreigners is an important export, proposed that
enabling ‘Second Home program’ for Turkey. Halisdemir says that, “We have opened our doors to 3
million Syrians who needs us. Now we should open
our doors to people have cash in hand and say let
this country become your second home.” Ağaoğlu
Group of Companies CEO, Dr. Önder Halisdemir
answered the questions of Ekovitrin.
n You have an important project named “Second
Home” which will give momentum to Turkish
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EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
Economy. Could you please provide information
about the details of the project?
Second Home project is a project, countries
apply to attract investments. In this Second Home
project, countries give residence permits and citizenship rights to foreigners for certain amount of
investment or purchasing real estate properties. It
is program implemented in 22 countries. Particularly, after the financial difficulty in Europe in
2008, governments widely applied these programs
to attract money and investment.
In turkey, after the Law of Reciprocity, it was
permitted residence sales to foreigners. With this
law, seriously considerable amount of currency
input to our country has been achieved. Being inspired of the programs made by these 22 countries,
we put forward a proposal of Turkey program. We
have seen the countries we can compare, countries
that closer to us and purchasing residence. Their
programs are 500 thousand US Dollars. Naturally
there are Schengen. There is ability to move. Ours
is a little bit under this. Accordingly, to the foreigners purchasing minimum 350 thousand UD Dollars residence, should be given the residence permission, after five years, citizenship right should be
entitled. But, in any case 350 thousand US Dollars
n This program has got a nonfictional value of
annually 100 thousand residences and 35 billion US
Dollars income target. Furthermore these assets are
not taken abroad. Therefore, it should be considered
a project to wing Turkish economy. Do you think to
tell this project to decision making people?
No doubt, there is a course of transferring this
to decision makers. There is a course of bringing to
the public attention and discussion. Right now, we
are doing this. Anyone, hearing about the program,
show great interest. A positive thought developed;
why we did not have such a program until now, the
other countries apply, why we do not apply. I think,
the decision makers will explain the program within
five, six months period of time. Really it is a situation for the benefit of our country. Other countries
successfully applied this.
n The residences sold in your Second Home project
in one sense, can be considered as export. Because it
is a net currency input providing sale. Materialized
in domestic production and sold to abroad, an export.
In case of, the residence sales deemed as export, this
will provide a considerable contribution to reach
Turkey its 2023 targets. What will you say on this
matter?
From then on it is your business what you’ll do
with this 35 billion US Dollars acquired. That is;
you can support different industries with this, make
different investments. Real estate does not confront
any sector, contrarily opens the way of hundreds of
industries. This is a very important matter too. Time
to time there are criticism for construction industry.
In our country, construction industry has influence
on vitality of 200 sub-sectors with its contribution to
employment. Besides, provide positive contributions
to current deficits with its annual approximately 5
billion US Dollars input, obtained by real estate
property sales. Construction industry is a running
industry. Let’s clear the way for it to produce that
much business. Presently, there is no incentive, or
accepting as export or tax refund etc. relevant to residence sales to foreigners. But, whether it is deemed
export revenue or not… There may be other kinds
of incentives can be discussed. Since it adds value to
this country, since we should keep this demand high,
we will use our reasonable efforts. Here, the Second
Home means an incentive. It also has got sense of
incentive in other matters. It is necessary to consider
the real estate as a proactive asset of our country.
We should clear the way for the sector.
UNITED NATIONS OF AĞAOĞLU
“2015 was a year we have gained considerably
important accomplishments in our foreign sales
channels. Within last year we have taken place
in significant organizations. We have successfully
completed Dubai Cityscape Fair which one of these
and extremely important for us, then we have
participated into Kuwait Cityscape Fair. Another
one was Azerbaijan Real Estate, Property and
Investment Fair RECEXPO. This is an indicator of
being outward oriented and elastic of the sector. We
are happy since we were at the fore. This year we
have participated into Cityscape Fair with motto of
‘United Nations of Ağaoğlu’ and this got credit from
all circles. We have seen from our surveys that,
people from 81 different nations live in peace in our
projects. They share common living areas. We sell
not only iron, cement, we sell peace.”
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
11
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
NEWS / AĞAOĞLU
“ATAŞEHİR SHOULD BE,
FREE ZONE OF FINANCE”
n Again, there is an important project for Turkey,
Istanbul International Finance Center. The
infrastructure of this has also been undertaken by
Ağaoğlu Group. Can we get the details and present
status from you?
Istanbul International Finance Center project
has been built in 2009. Within the project, it is also
targeted that, Istanbul that is a commerce center,
gains a finance center as well.
Hence, the zone in Ataşehir has been announced. This is a very proper project and underneath
of this should be structured. We can think that here
is a finance shopping center. With the project, it
is aimed international finance companies conduct
their business here. Well Okay, what are the main
benefits of this? The ones who need domestic
finance can meet their needs in many various ways
where the international finance companies came in.
Banking sector is already in this project. But, to be
in the project of the non-banking finance institutions, insurance companies, consultancy companies
and banks carry on business in various segments
provide a great variety of choices for each of the
entrepreneurs, big company owners, SMEs in need
of finance. Istanbul International Finance Center
means a finance center where the region and international environments place their money to here
and those players are present here.
What we do now, people in need of various
funds in Turkey, negotiate with companies located in
London, Dubai. Because, there are countries transferred this into practice. We are going to the finance
shops in finance shopping centers there and we are
telling our businesses. We are trying to find funs.
We are establishing companies there. Consequently,
Istanbul’s being an international finance center is
important for us. Let’s have look to Dubai, there
are two samples what money does to a desert, one
of them is Las Vegas. An economy has been structured on gambling. The other one is Dubai Finance
Center. An economy built up on desert. There are
1.350 companies at Dubai Finance Center. Investor
goes to there under 60 degree temperature and difficult conditions only because it is a free zone. Istanbul
is the primary city among the most beautiful livable
cities. It has got an airway like Turkish Airlines
reaching to most destinations, carrying passengers to
most destinations all over the world.
12
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
AĞAOĞLU: “December 17
was a crossroad for me. But,
Thanks to God, this too passed.
My greatest capital is my
entrepreneurship. For coming
to these days I have worked
faithful, I have worked hard.”
“Last year, we have achieved 1
billion TRL sales, only from the
projects we have developed jointly
with Emlak Konut. In 2016 we will
step up further this amount. We
have target of 2.5 billion sales.”
With a project we design, we should get ahead
of Dubai. We have to become such a free zone.
When we announced here as free zone, we think,
about 1.500 foreign institutions will take place.
There are 1.350 establishments in Dubai; on the
other hand, in Istanbul there will be 1.500 finance
shops. Daily 22.500 visits, if annually 5 million 600
thousand visitors leave 2 thousand US Dollars,
only its effect to tourism is 11 billion US Dollars.
Certainly since here financial transactions will be
made, can you imagine? You have a corporation,
you go to finance center. Here, there are different
businesses, 1.500 companies, banks, insurance
companies. There are different banks that we have
not seen. There are non-banking intermediary
institutions. That is, you have a financial problem
and you go to a single place to solve it. If one is
not go, you negotiate the other. World has already
done these. London, New York, Singapore, Dubai,
and Moscow have done.
Istanbul’s vision is a very proper vision. Of
course, while we are constructing this we have seen
the samples on the world, and also seen that, this
has achieved by making it free zone in the countries succeeded this. Finance structures are working
there. There are very important contributions this
will provide to our economy, our tourism and our
development.
ALİ AĞAOĞLU: MY GREATEST CAPITAL
IS MY ENTREPRENEURSHIP
C
hairman of Ağaoğlu Group of Companies
that is the locomotive of real estate property
and construction sector, Ali Ağaoğlu broke
his silence with a press meeting he held. Verbalizing
that the project previously came into the market
under the name of Bakırköy 46 has started again;
Ali Ağaoğlu told “Superior court registered our
rightfulness. Divine retribution has been served”.
Ağaoğlu made a spectacular return by naming the
project as Central Park İstanbul.
During the press meeting held at his residence in Ortaköy, Chairman of Ağaoğlu Group of
Companies Ali Ağaoğlu presented explanations
about Central Park İstanbul project and the current
status of the sector. Verbalizing that the project
previously came into the market under the name
of Bakırköy 46 has started again; Ali Ağaoğlu told
“Superior court registered our rightfulness. Our
project resumes on with the name of Central Park
İstanbul again.” Enunciating the new details about
the project Ali Ağaoğlu; emphasized that they were
much more institutionalized comparing to many of
the companies exist in the sector and remarked they
were planning future 20-25 years of the company.
Stated that staffing pattern of the company enforced further with newly formed executive board,
Ağaoğlu told that, “2016 will be a milestone for us.
We will come together with different businesses,
much more frequently.”
“Uplifted to a better state,
Central Park İstanbul Project will
come into sale in March”
Stating that Marmaray, tube tunnel project
materialized in 2014 and city park project carried by
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality are important,
Ağaoğlu; underlined that Central Park İstanbul
project even more increased in value and became
top-grossing project today. Emphasizing Bakırköy
having one of the highest neighborhood relations,
continued his speech: “Construction plan of Central
Park İstanbul that is the best project for living of families with its floor plans and building area will not
change, but, works for architectural improvement
still continue. That will be a 24 hours living site.
Compensation of the moral matters experienced is
not possible but the project came to a better point
than previous.”
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
13
NEWS / VADİSTANBUL PARK
Vadİstanbul
Park
The first air rail
project of Turkey
T
he last phase of Vadistanbul, Vadistanbul
Park came onto the market after launching held in Çırağan Palace on the date of
February 9. In the project impatiently awaited for
long time, the square meter prices offered for sale
specific for the launching period are 9 thousand
TRL in average.
Consists of 762 residences, at Vadistanbul Park
Phase of Vadistanbul accomplished under the partnership of Artaş İnşaat, Aydınlı Grup and İnvest
İnşaat (Artaş Construction, Aydınlı Group and
İnvest Construction); there are 100 thousand square meter office, 20 thousand square meter home
office, 22 square meter shop area and a parking lot
with a capacity of 3.700 vehicles take place.
Vadistanbul project located on a total 424
thousand square meter area, Vadistanbul Park
phase has got 74 thousand square meter land area.
Densely comprising 3+1 and 4+1 flats; 1+1, 2+1,
14
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
The last phase of Turkish
construction industry’s
symbol project Vadistanbul’s
last phase Vadistanbul Park
came onto the market with
its feature of being the first
private air rail (monorail)
project of Turkey. The
square meter price of the
residences in third phase of
Vadistanbul project promising
30% premium starts from 9
thousand TRL in average.
5+1 flat options are also offered in Vadistanbul
Park. The deliveries in Vadistanbul Park where the
construction works continue at full stream, will be
made in December 2017.
We are shaping the new countenance of
Ayazağa district
Making a statement after launching Chairman
of Artaş İnşaat, Süleyman Çetinsaya told; “We had
a customer group waiting for Vadistanbul Park long
time. We can say that we have received a considerable request. In the first phase of Vadistanbul, we
have started the sales at 5 thousand 400 TRL per
square meter, now there is no flat with a price of
10 thousand TRL. We consider that, Vadistanbul Park will
make a 30% premium within a
short period of time. The most
important benefit of this phase of
us is; when the deliveries started,
all equipment in Bulvar Phase
of Vadistanbul will have entered
into service and will have become
a living city center. Ayazağa district, where we have located our
project, will be the alternative
for centers of attraction such as
Büyükdere Street, İstiklal Street
and Nişantaşı with Vadistanbul.
Verbalizing that the location of
Vadistanbul Park takes place at
a point where all transportation
center lines of İstanbul intersect,
Çetinsaya continued his speech
that: “Located nearby TEM Motorway, in a very close distance to
third periphery road, Airport and
road to bridge. With it’s this location, Vadistanbul will be a project
forming the new countenance of
Ayazağa district.”
The huge project registered
with international awards
In its architecture, having the
signatures of worldwide renowned SOM Architecture from
USA and one of the outstanding
offices of Turkey, İki Design
Mimarlık, the shopping center
concept consultancy of the project has been undertaken by one
of the worldwide prominent real
estate consultancy companies,
Jones Lang LaSalle – JLL.
Until today, representing
Turkish construction industry in
international arenas Vadistanbul,
many times registered its success
with awards in different fields.
Vadistanbul, with its extent of
total construction and 2.5 billion
US Dollars planned sales revenue; provides great contribution
to the image of Turkey and Istanbul in world real-estate markets.
Park Phase, where last residences
take place of Vadistanbul that
has got 1 million 350 thousand
square meter construction area,
is located in a specific point green and blue meet.
In the project having a unique
appurtenance with Sadabad
Vadisi (Sadabad Valley) crossing
throughout the project, walking
trails, cafes and restaurants which
will be established on the side
of creek, an incomparable living
space will be provided.
Vadistanbul Park provides
many privileges besides the
unique appurtenances to the flat
owners. The primary one of these
privileges is living in a colorful
life in the environment materia-
Süleyman Çetinsaya
lized with its all functions of the
project which will be the new
living center of Istanbul.
The first private metro
of Turkey is going to be
constructed
Within context of the project,
the first private metro will be
constructed by Vadistanbul investors as a 934 meter long Air Rail
line and this Air Rail line will
connect the project to the metro
network of city.
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
15
VEHBİ ORAKÇI
by Burcu KEÇECİOĞLU
ekovitrin@gmail.com
VEHBİ ORAKÇI:
TURKEY IS
A STRATEGIC
COUNTRY
C
arried out domestic and
foreign significant projects
in real estate properties
sector, Chairman of the
Board of Marmara Mühendislik
Yapı A.Ş. Vehbi Orakçı draws
attention to that Turkey is a
strategic country for the investors.
Orakçı: “It needs to be elucidated
that Turkey is a safe port.”
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EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
V
ehbi Orakçı, is an important name
who takes charge in politics and
non-governmental organizations besides his businessman identity. Taking
in charge of mayoralty of Beylikdüzü for one
period, Orakçı carried out important projects
and actively played a role in the development of
county. The people living in the country express
him “The person brings Beylikdüzü to its present
status”. Being aware towards the social matters,
Orakçı at the same time holds the Presidency
of Aras Marmara Eğitim Vakfı (AREV) (Aras
Marmara Education Foundation). Foundation
assists the young people begin to work educated and personally developed. Orakçı, with his
Marmara Mühendislik Company he established
25 years ago, develop real estate projects. More
than 4 thousand people are living In the projects
produced by the company. Chairman of the Board
of Marmara Mühendislik Yapı A.Ş. Vehbi Orakçı
made important statements to Ekovitrin Media
Group Vice Chairman of Board of Directors Şeref
Özata about the works they are conducted and
sales to foreigners in real estate properties sector.
n Marmara Mühendislik Construction Group
Carries out significant projects. How did you come
to these days, could you please provide brief information about your works?
Marmara Mühendislik Yapı, a company we
have established while we were university students.
It is in the manner of my child. We came today giving
great efforts. For 25 years we put our signature under
many important projects in Istanbul, out of Istanbul
and abroad. We actualized good works together with
our team. We have provided employment opportunities to thousands of people. This is a matter of fact
we dignify in the occupational sense, in the manner of
contribution of economic development of our country.
Since the center of our establishment located in
Beylikdüzü, majority of our projects also take place in
this district. In the last 5 years, we have materialized
serious projects both in central locations of Beylikdüzü and Esenyurt regions. We have constructed about
one thousand residences.
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
17
INTERVIEW / VEHBİ ORAKÇI
PIONEERED THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF MODERN TOWNS
Chairman of the Board of Marmara Mühendislik
Yapı A.Ş. and former mayor of Beylikdüzü, Vehbi
Orakçı is an engineer and a businessman put his
signature under hundreds of projects. He has
pioneered building up modern towns with Marmara
Mühendislik Yapı Incorporation he has established
25 years ago while he was a university student.
“WE ARE PUTTING NEW PROJECTS
INTO PRACTICE”
We will start Marmara Konakları Project. This project
overlooks Marmara Sea. Our aim with this project is
to get the housing standard higher. Marmara Concept
which we have made the deliveries, accomplished
featly in Beylikdüzü. Our Referans Marmara project
continues. We are constructing our Ofis Marmara
project both for our own company and for our friends.
ORAKÇI: WE PUT OUR SIGNATURE
UNDER HUNDREDS OF PROJECTS
“Within a period of 5 years, we have materialized serious projects both in central locations of
Beylikdüzü and Esenyurt regions. We have constructed about one thousand residences.”
n You have materialized
numerous projects both during
your mayor period, and by being
a businessman. What are your
new projects?
Soon we will start our Marmara Konakları project. This
project overlooks Marmara Sea.
Our aim with this project is to
get the housing standard higher.
We consider that, it will be a
project comprising 6+2 luxurious residences, may be in the
manner of requested by our foreign customers. We do not plan
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EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
our project having all kinds of
social premises as high-rise building. It will be maximum 4 or 5
flats. I wish there is a possibility
that Istanbul has enough land
stock. During the period of our
Beylikdüzü mayoralty we have
executed this. At that period we
did not give permission more
than 15 flats to the projects in
Beylikdüzü. Our project will be
maximum 5 flats. Instead of unhappy people in vertical life spaces, we will design a project we
increase vertical life spaces; we
will carry out Ottoman culture,
neighborhood culture. Marmara
Concept which we have made
its deliveries in recent times, accomplished featly in Beylikdüzü.
Our Referans Marmara project
continues. We are constructing
our Ofis Marmara project both
for our own company and for our
friends. I suppose that we will
deliver within 4-5 months. That
is, we wish to do good things,
reflecting our vision, reflecting
the vision of our team, based on
the needs in the district.
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
19
INTERVIEW / VEHBİ ORAKÇI
“WE HAVE BROUGHT EDUCATION
VALLEY TO BEYLİKDÜZÜ”
While Beylikdüzü was a hotel town where mass housing accumulated before my
mayoralty period, in our period, gained an identity. It came up with sports, arts,
education. For example, we have our Education Valley (Eğitim Vadisi) project which
we have constructed. It is a complex comprising 15 schools on 150 acres land. The
Science High School we have constructed in this complex, takes place among the
tops in Turkey.
n In fact, you are an engineer,
but you could not this profession.
During my mayoralty, I thought that executing my profession
would unethical. Additionally,
I thought that, if I focus on my
consistence, emotions, dreams,
and hopes to mayoralty, I could
get results for my people. If I
have continued to execute my
profession during my mayoralty
period, I could not be successful. Thus, I left the commercial
considerations aside, for 5 years
devoted us to the duty of mayo20
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
ralty. We have made the slightest
efforts to make our Beylikdüzü a
brand-city and we have accomplished. While Beylikdüzü was a
hotel town where mass housing
accumulated, in our period,
gained an identity. It came up
with sports, arts, education. For
example, there is our Education
Valley (Eğitim Vadisi) project
which we have constructed. It is
a complex comprising 15 schools
on 150 acres land. The Science
High School we have constructed in this complex, takes place
among the tops in Turkey. It is a
very beautiful area in Beylikdüzü Barış District. If the project
we have planned in that district
could be materialized, would be
much beautiful. We have constructed on or two schools and they
are in service now. Being Science
High School of one of these
schools makes us happy. It is one
of the most preferred schools
in Turkey. It is accepting with a
full score about 500 points. We
consider this is a success story on
the name of Beylikdüzü.
EKOVİTRİN MARCH 2016
21
INTERVIEW / VEHBİ ORAKÇI
our services to the city and
country we live in. We continuously keep this feeling alive with
our identities of presidency of
foundation and businessman.
We are maintaining our
contributions by transferring our
experiences to non-governmental
organizations and to our foundation. For rendering services,
it is not necessary to carry out
mayoralty. Every person who has
got the will of serve can obviously
find channels to give his or her
energy. Politics is one of them.
Accordingly, as a matter of our
philosophy, we are maintaining
n How many people you have
made home owner under the roof
of Marmara Mühendislik?
Together with continuing and
completed projects domestic and
abroad, the number of the people we have made home owner,
exceeded 4 thousand. We have
undertaken very serious projects particularly abroad. We will
begin to a satellite town consists
of one thousand 300 villas and a
project consists of one thousand
houses. We have constructed a
culture complex and an education complex similar to the
complex in Beylikdüzü I have
stated in Iraq. A complex accommodates 7 schools. Presently
80% of the project has been
completed. We are planning to
bring into service in month of
September. Of course the center
of our professional experiences
is Istanbul and Beylikdüzü but,
it makes perfect sense to me to
expand abroad and do business
there whenever we find opportunity, whenever the circumstances
allow. Because, I think that,
engineers, workers employed in
each project abroad, the exports
made are very important for the
services rendered to this country.
In my opinion, this is the movement our companies should do
in this global world; it is the necessary step to be taken. Turkish
companies have the pioneering
identity with this respect. On the
world in the field of overseas
contracting, we are ranked as
the second immediately after
China, we have contracting business exceeding 300 billion US
Dollars. I think that this is also a
gain on the name of our country.
We attach importance to this on
the name of Marmara Mühendislik. It is very difficult. But to
overcome this difficulty provides
a different pleasure to us.
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