JEDDAH — Vanguards International executives announced the start of their first “Invest in Turkey” tour to meet with prominent business people and investors in Saudi Arabia between May 10-18, to highlight the benefits and practices of investing in Turkey. Vanguards International will also be presenting a number of residential and hotel projects, offering investors the opportunity to invest in the booming Turkish real estate sector. Turkey's dynamic urban transformation and its growing appeal as a world tourism destination have substantially impacted the country's economic landscape, as evidenced by its booming real estate sector. Property prices of new homes in Istanbul increased by 29.3 per cent since January 2010, while prices in the Turkish Riviera resort of Cesme recorded an increase of 28% in just 2012. “With an estimated need for 7.5 million housing units and hundreds of thousands of hotel beds over the next 10 years, plus a world-renowned construction know-how, cheap labor cost and political stability, the country has all the essential elements to attract any foreign investor seeking new and promising ROI horizons,” commented Walid Halabi, Managing Director of Vanguards International. Yet, despite the great appeal of this country, “many foreign investors find it difficult to operate in Turkey, due to language barriers and the local business culture. Our role is to assist these investors in bridging this gap with complete transparency and corporate governance principles,” added Halabi. “Saudi investors who may have missed out on this spectacular growth in recent years should look at Turkey as a safe and lucrative place to expand or diversify their portfolio. Not to mention the natural beauty of the Turkish landscape, the close proximity to Saudi Arabia, and the many cultural ties that link the two countries.” Istanbul-based Vanguards International is an investment and property management company that focuses on positive-cash investment opportunities in high end and luxury properties with strong potential for capital growth in various parts of Istanbul and the Turkish Riviera. It is headed by two partners, Halabi and Asli Kocaoglu, and relies on its alliance with established developers for local expertise and deal flow. — SG
