Yurdaer Kahraman: “One key objective is to retain foreign investors in Türkiye”
The 14th AYD Shopping Economy Summit, organized by the Association of Shopping Centers and Investors, successfully convened in İstanbul with Fiba Commercial Properties as the main sponsor. In his opening speech on November 20, Fiba Commercial Properties CEO and Board Member Yurdaer Kahraman said, “We need a sound financial cycle for a robust retail sector. In this economic landscape, one of our key objectives should be to retain foreign investors in Türkiye.”
On November 20, the 14th edition of the AYD Shopping Economy Summit, organized by the Association of Shopping Centers and Investors, took place in İstanbul. Fiba Commercial Properties (Fiba CP), a prominent player in Türkiye’s commercial real estate sector, took on the main sponsorship for the event held at Swissotel.
Fiba Commercial Properties CEO and Board Member Yurdaer Kahraman delivered the opening speech at the event, which delved into the future of the shopping economy, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Republic. In the Fiba session on the Sustainable Transformation of Shopping Malls in the World and Türkiye, Fiba Group Sustainability ESG Director Yasemin Sırali, and Anchor Group CEO and Board Member of Anchor Group Affan Yıldırım shared their perspectives.
“We must retain foreign investors in Türkiye”
Highlighting that retaining foreign investors in Türkiye should be one of the primary objectives in the current economic landscape, Fiba Commercial Properties CEO and Board Member Yurdaer Kahraman stated, “Ultimately, we are all involved in commerce and various forms of financial management. Therefore, we need a sound financial cycle for a robust retail sector. As I always emphasize, there are multiple ways to retain foreign investors in the country. To begin with, it is essential to distinguish between commercial and residential laws. The future investors must executive their own workflows with their unique dynamics. In addition to accurate turnover reporting, growth through mutual trust and transparency is crucial. Leveraging technology will undoubtedly be instrumental in implementing these strategies effectively. Adapting to technology is essential for us to stay abreast of the ever-evolving global landscape. Harnessing technology, embracing digitalization, and possibly delving into artificial intelligence should become integral aspects of our shopping malls, and if already implemented, we should strive to amplify their utilization even further. Efficient utilization of our workforce is achievable only through the integration of technology into our daily lives. Our ambitious goals include becoming a global exemplar by fully integrating technology and digitalization into our shopping malls.”
“The most significant challenge confronting the world is the climate crisis”
Highlighting that significant challenges await the world amid these advancements, Yurdaer Kahraman remarked, “With every move we make, we must recognize that the climate crisis is rapidly approaching us. We are depleting the world’s resources at an alarming rate. It's not far-fetched to imagine waking up one day to find the world uninhabitable for us. At this point, we all need to play a role in addressing this issue. Of course, sustainability is not only about nature. We should also consider the continuity of business life, the sustainability of our businesses, and the continuity of life in this context. We should approach the issue comprehensively, take measures accordingly, encourage each other with our actions, set an example, and support one another.”
“We are channeling our global expertise into the industry”
Yurdaer Kahraman highlighted Fiba CP’s leading position in the sector, stating, “Fiba CP is the foremost commercial real estate investor, active in 4 countries with 11 shopping malls, over 800,000 m2 of leasable area, 4 residences, 5 office buildings, 2 cinema complexes, and 1 hotel investment. We are confidently advancing, expanding our investments and leveraging our management expertise in Türkiye, Eastern Europe, and the Far East. Drawing from the experience we have gained from our global investments, we forge solution-driven partnerships that enhance value for investors and property owners within the shopping mall management industry. Through our commercial real estate projects we invest in and manage on a global scale, we both aim to showcase the strength of our country on the international stage and focus on adding value by leveraging the experiences gained abroad and channeling them to our projects here. One of the standout projects this year is the recently unveiled Downtown Bursa, which was opened at the end of October. This project, featuring a shopping center, social spaces, technological exhibition areas, and a modern mixed-use structure, brings us great honor and pride as we present it to Türkiye and Bursa, especially during the centennial celebration of the Republic of Türkiye. We will persistently strive to add value to our business, industry, and future.”
