Avrupagöz, which has had a fast track record in the eye health sector in Turkey, has signed off on a 50% partnership with Nesma Holding of Saudi Arabia, with a turnover of 2.5 Billion Dollars and Reaya Holding, which is known for its important investments in the health industry within the Gulf countries. With this partnership, Avrupagöz aims to finance both domestic and foreign investments equaling 267 Million TL.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Avrupagöz, Ramazan Burak Telli, who spoke at the press conference, held on 12 February 2014, Wednesday, at Çırağan Palace to announce the agreement to the public, stated, “Avrupagöz has been attracting a lot of interest from domestic and foreign investors for more than two years. It has been our desire to work with a foreign investor in line with our vision. We have finally decided to launch this partnership with Nesma and Reaya Holding, with which we share the same targets. With our investment power, now stronger, we will be increasing the number of our branches and I truly believe that we will become a leader in eye health, not only in Turkey, but also in the world.”
300% Growth Ramazan Burak Telli explained that they have started with one branch in 2008 and from 4 branches n 2012, they increased their number of branches to 14 in 2013, accomplishing a growth rate of 300% in one year. With regards to the branches that are planned to be opened, he gave out the following information at the meeting:
“We will increase the number of our domestic branches to 21 in 2014 and to 32 in 2015. This year, we will start to provide services in Van, Karadeniz Ereğli, Eskişehir, Bursa, Erzurum, Şanlıurfa, and Diyarbakır. Our branch in Karadeniz Ereğli will begin its operations within the month of February and we will be able to serve our patients in Diyarbakır in the next 3 months. We are excited to invest in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions. Our medium-term target is to be present in all cities of Turkey.”
Telli added that together with Nesma and Reaya Holding, they would be taking Avrupagöz name to the international arena. Telli mentioned that their plan was to invest internationally in regions where the health services are limited and health policies are not well implemented and added “Our priority is to open branches in Azerbaijan, Northern Iraq and in Turkmenistan. As you may also guess, our first international branch will be opened in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia due to our partnership”.
Underprivileged Citizens with Health Cards should also included within the scope of General Health Insurance Telli stated “As Avrupagöz, since the day of our foundation, we have been providing eye care to our patients without charging for the Social Security Insurance difference,” and he added that the underprivileged citizens with health cards should also be included within the scope of the general health insurance.
“We are excited for partnership with Avrupagöz”
After Ramazan Burak Telli’s speech, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nesma Holding and the Member of the Board of Directors of Reaya Holding, Sheik SalehAl.Turki, took the floor and said “We are very excited to have partnered with Avrupagöz. In recent years, Turkey has transformed from a traditional country to one that provides financial services and quality production. Turkey, with its genuine involvement in the issues of the Arabian countries and its sound economic structure, holds a special place amongst the Arabian countries. Therefore, investment in Turkey is an important subject for Saudi Arabia. We are here to assume the responsibility of coordination for the accomplishment of capital transfer to Turkey and aim to operate as an investment agency”.
Al Turki explained his reasons for their investment in Turkey and stated “I love the Turkish people. In order to build a successful partnership, you have to love the people you work with. I have investments in Europe and in the USA, however, the growth rates in those regions are very low and not as exciting as it is in Turkey. We are really passionate about Avrupagöz with its quality service, technological investments and growth rate. We aim to bring this dynamism into the world with Avrupagöz name”.
The Vice President of the Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency, Arda Ermut, stated in his speech that investors from the Gulf countries, primarily Saudi Arabia, were considered among prominent investors.
He stated that this investment would enhance the commercial and economic relationship between Turkey and the gulf countries and noted the developments in the health industry and added: “Turkey has become a regional base in health industry. Many countries invest in the health industry in Turkey. At such a time when there are heated arguments about the future of emerging economies this investment is a strong indicator of the confidence in the Turkish economy.”
Arda Ermut concluded his speech by underlining that as the Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency, they would continue assisting all international investors both from the Gulf region and from any other country in the world and stated that Turkey was an investor-friendly country.
