Investing in Turkey Forum: Opportunities in Infrastructure and Private Equity

The Investing in Turkey Forum took place at our Official Host Hogan Lovells’ Auditorium in London with over 150 registered delegates, the majority of them UK based investors.

The forum was opened by conference chair Oliver Cornock (Oxford Business Group, UAE) followed by Colin Graham’s (Hogan Lovells, UK) welcoming speech. Our honorary guest HE Ahmet Ünal Çeviköz (Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) gave a brief speech on current challenges and opportunities from the Government’s perspective. The final presentation in the opening session was provided by Jessica Hand (UKTI, UK).

The Market Overview session was opened by Ahmet Iplikci (Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT), UK) who outlined the investment climate incentives and future outlook, including a review of the 2023 goals. Umut Demirkan (Kolcuoglu Demirkan, Turkey) then discussed state of play in Turkey’s various investment sectors. These opening speeches provided an excellent opportunity for delegates to learn about current and future opportunities and detailed knowledge of the market situation in Turkey.

Following these opening speeches, Cenk Utkan (Connexion Capital, Turkey) introduced the Investment and Private Equity session, discussed key deals and future opportunities from the perspective of an active investment fund in the market. Willem Bongaerts (LOYENS & LOEFF N.V., The Netherlands) swiftly followed with a great presentation about perspective of international investors and review of legislatory and tax regimes. The Private Equity panel, chaired by Umut Demirkan, discussed further opportunities in Turkey, and allowed the audience to question and probe panellists (Ahmet Iplikci, Jessica Hand, Willem Bongaerts, and Cenk Utkan).

After a well-deserved coffee and a chance to network with each other, participants once again took their seats for the next session dedicated to PPP Infrastructure and Energy. Joint presentation by Andrew Briggs (Hogan Lovells, UK) and Okan Demirkan (Kolcuoglu  Demirkan, Turkey) highlighted recent changes within the PPP and infrastructure market, including insightful analysis and comprehensive figures. Especially focusing on new legislation for the Ministry of Health which potentially could solve current issues regarding health sector PPP’s.

The last presentation of the day was by Lemi Leba (Dia Holding, Turkey) who provided a case study on Europe’s largest hospital project (Ankara Bilkent Saglik). Mr Briggs chaired the proceeding panel discussion with panellists including Lemi Leba, Okan Demirkan, Darryl Murphy (KPMG, UK) and Ilkay Demirdag (Akfen Holding, Turkey), who all contributed in sharing their opinions and perspectives.

The day closed with a Cocktail Reception hosted in Hogan Lovells’ networking area offering fantastic views across the city of London. Guests had the perfect opportunity to speak with each other further and discuss the days’ ideas whilst enjoying Turkish Canapés and a selection of traditional beverages.

If you are interested in accessing the conference materials (presentations, videos and delegate list), then please complete and return the necessary order form. E.E.L. Events Limited will be providing a series of Infrastructure and Energy forums in 2013. If you would like to be involved as a sponsor, speaker, panellist or delegate please contact one of our representatives.

4th Annual Turkey Energy Forum 2013

The 4th Annual Turkey Energy Forum took place in the prestigious 5* Elite World Hotel Taksim, in Istanbul on the 21 and 22 March 2013. It brought together over 100 international representatives from around the globe. E.E.L. Events would like to thank our Official Legal Partner Bezen & Partners, our Wind Energy Partner ATS and our Associate Sponsors TUV Rheinland. We would also like to thank all our event partners, media associates and our chairman, Mr Peter Grimsditch of Oxford Business Group.

The first day began with a welcoming address from our chairman, Peter Grimsditch (Oxford Business Group) who was quickly followed by Mr Atif Kir, the Project Group Head of the Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Privatization Administration. He spoke about government initiatives towards market liberation and the role of EMRA. Mr Aykut Bakirci of Bezen & Partners (Official Legal Partner) then took to the lectern to talk about the bankability of privatization projects in Turkey.

The following session focused on market trends and analysis with both Mr Basak Avci (Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency) and Mr Abdullah Tancan (EPDK) speaking on the impact of the 2023 strategy in the Turkish energy sector, highlighting the key regulatory changes over the last few months. The was followed by our first networking coffee break, sponsored by Bezen & Partners (Official Legal Partner).

Next on the agenda was bankability and risk session. Mr Farid Jafarov (SOCAR) spoke about the bankability of renewable energy investments in Turkey and was followed by Clare Rhodes-James (Mott Macdonald) who talked about risk identification and mitigation, highlighting the importance of due diligence. Claire then kindly chaired the following panel discussion which covered key issues regarding the bankability of Turkish energy projects. Other participants were Ms Ozlem Atabey (Isbank), Yesim Bezen (Bezen & Partners), Farid Jafarov (SOCAR), Jens Thomassen (Denham Capital) and Mehmed Sami Cavusoglu (DME Partners).

Following a much needed lunch break, the afternoon sessions focused on the gas market and the future of coal/lignite in Turkey. Mr Mehmet Erturk (EPDK) spoke regarding the role of gas storage for increasing security of supply, whilst Ms Katalin Romics (E.ON Foldgaz Storage) followed speaking about gas storage adding value to supplies from the Southern Corridor. Next up was Mr Muzaffer Basaran (FMR EUAS) who presented on the future of coal/lignite in Turkey. A panel discussion followed addressing the challenges facing coal powered power generation. Mr Peter Grimsditch (Oxford Business Group) chaired the discussion with further participation from Akyut Bakirci (Bezen & Partners), Tamer Turna (Yildirim Energy Investment) and Muzaffer Basaran (FMR EUAS). Not to mention our interactive audience who were contributing many key questions to the panel.

Our final presentation of the day was from Mr Mustafa Karahan from the Energy Traders Association. The presentation focused on opportunities for energy trading in Turkey and on establishing an effective Turkey Energy Exchange.

After a successful day of discussion about traditional energy, we moved to the luxurious bar area for the cocktail reception, giving the delegates a chance to swap business cards and talk about the days’ activities over a refreshing beverage.

Day 2 was focused on the renewable energy market in Turkey and began with a welcoming address from the undersecretary at the Ministry of Energy, Mr Selahattin Cimen. He mentioned how important it was for the Ministry to attend events such as ours and received many questions from the delegation. This was an ideal time for everyone to speak directly with the Ministry in public and was very well received.

Our opening session was looking at investing in the Turkish renewable energy market, focusing on risk management, tackling uncertainties and ensuring bankability. Ms Yesim Bezen from our Official Legal Partner, Bezen & Partners began the session with an overview of renewable in Turkey’s energy mix. This was followed by Mr Emrah Durusut (Element Energy) who presented on the maximising of renewable uptake through FiT’S, mentioning efficient policies and incentives. Prior to the first panel discussion of the day, Mr Mehmed Sami Cavusoglu discussed the bankability and risk management of renewable projects in Turkey.

Ms Isabelle Demir (HSBC) chaired the panel and was joined by Aygen Yayikoglu (Crescent Capital), Emrah Durusut (Element Energy), Barlas Balcioglu (Balcioglu Selcuk Akman Keki), Zeki Eris (Polat Enerji) and Andi Arantasi (EBRD) to discuss financing of renewable projects  and take questions from the active audience.

After the networking coffee break we returned hydrated and ready for our wind session. Up first was Mr Mustafa Serdar Ataseven who provided a case study looking at the wind energy market in Turkey, focusing on the opportunities and challenges involved. Following Mustafa was our Official Wind Partner, ATS. Mr John Kop provided an interesting presentation on maximising the efficiency of wind projects in remote regions. Further presentations were provided by Mr Joao Rocha (Megajoule) and Mr Geert Dooms (3E) respectively covering topics regarding streamlining wind project preparation and development, looking at how to reduce cost and also identifying and overcoming risks in the Turkish renewable energy market.
 
After an immaculate lunch, we moved into the final session of the conference, Solar Energy Analysis. Presentations were provided by our Associate Sponsors, TUV Rheinland with Mr Matthias Bott presenting on ensuring project efficiency, Mr Mustafa Tiris (T-Dinamik Energy), Mr Alexander Zachariou (Hellenic Solar Energy Association), Mr Nikola Gazdov (BPVA) and Mr Omer Cihan Karahan (Merk Solar). All topics were covered including a case study which focused of coping with a changing regulatory environment and the opportunities and threats related to solar investments.

Mr Peter Grimsditch then closed the conference with a few choice comments and everyone retired to the networking area for a coffee and to share further business cards.
 
If you are interested in accessing the conference materials (presentations, videos and delegate list), then please complete and return the necessary order form. We look forward to welcoming you back at an EEL Event soon.

http://www.eelevents.co.uk/turkey_energy_forum_2013

3rd Central and Eastern Europe PPP Infrastructure Forum

Investing in future partnerships

Our 2013 forum will address these obstacles and offer an in-depth analysis of CEE infrastructure development plans. Speakers and participants will include National and Local government, infrastructure funds, financiers and sponsors, construction firms and concessionaires, regional advisors and legal firms.

6th Balkan Energy Finance Forum (BEFF)

Powering future growth in Southeast Europe

Following the success of our 2012 event which attracted over 200 attendees from over 25 countries, our 6th Annual Balkan Energy Finance Forum (BEFF 2013) will again unite key players from across the energy industry, both from private and public sectors, tackling key issues facing the development of the energy market. Focus will be paid to national and regional energy policy and the mobilisation and allocation of public and private funds. Although offering an insight into the regional energy market, our 2013 forum will provide a focused analysis of the opportunities in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects.

2nd Annual PPP in Turkey Forum

Meeting future demands today

Following on from the success of our 2012 PPP in Turkey Forum, our 2013 event will provide an update on the market and its current challenges and opportunities. Government representatives will outline existing and future projects, international experts will provide best practice advice and industry stakeholders will review the feasibility of Turkey’s ambitious plans. Our 2013 forum will provide a platform for debate and discussion with more interactive panel sessions and Q&As.