Sponsors
Platinum Turkish Bank Sponsor
With a consolidated asset size of over USD 80 billion, a strong and extensive national distribution network comprising over 950 branches and 15,000 employees, Akbank is one of the most valuable companies in Turkey in terms of its market capitalisation. Akbank is also “the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Turkey” according to the “Brand Finance - Banking 500, 2012“ report. In addition to its core banking activities, Akbank offers a wide range of corporate, SME, consumer and private banking services as well as foreign trade financing. The bank conducts overseas operations through its subsidiaries in Germany (Akbank AG) and Dubai (Akbank Dubai Limited) along with a branch in Malta. Akbank’s robust capital, low leverage, high level of liquidity and effective risk management policy constitute its pillars of strength and support the Bank’s profitable growth. Akbank’s local subsidiaries are Ak Securities, Ak Asset Management and Ak Lease. Since its inception, Akbank continously reviews and upgrades its operations and business processes to ensure the sustainability of its stakeholders’ welfare. Implementing its corporate social responsibility activities to create sustainable value, Akbank significantly contributes to the further progress of the society through diverse projects such as culture and arts, education, entrepreneurship and environment which it undertakes and supports.
Platinum International Bank Sponsor
HSBC Bank A.Ş., established in 1990 in İstanbul as Midland Bank A.Ş. with 100% foreign capital, is the first UK bank to enter the Turkish market. Following the acquisition of Midland Bank by HSBC Group, Midland Bank A.Ş. was renamed as HSBC Bank A.Ş. in 1999. Operating in Corporate Banking and markets since 1990 in Turkey, HSBC Bank A.Ş. started to provide Retail Banking services starting from 1997, offering its wide product range. The bank acquired Demirbank T.A.Ş. in October 2001 and the merger of the two companies was completed in December 2001. HSBC Bank A.Ş. also acquired Benkar Consumer Financing and Cards Services A.Ş. in September 2002, including Advantage brand. Having celebrated its 20th year in Turkey in 2010, HSBC Bank A.Ş. continues to operate with 331 branches, c.6000 employees and more than 3.5 million customers as of March 2012.
Gold Sponsor
Alamos is an established Canadian-based gold producer that owns and operates the Mulatos Mine in Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Mexico and in Turkey. The Company has a market capitalisation of over C$2.0 billion (Toronto Stock Exchange:AGI). Alamos Gold, through its wholly owned subsidiary KuzeyBigaMadencilik, owns two gold properties refined to as AğıDağı and Kirazlı. KuzeyBigaMadencilik anticipates the two open pit, heap leach operations will have a total life of mine production of 1.5 million ounces of gold and 4.9 million ounces of silver, with an average of 166,000 ounces of gold annually over a nine-year mine life. Gold pour is planned for late 2014.
Official Telecoms Sponsor
Türk Telekom is Turkey’s leading communication and convergence technologies company with its modern network infrastructure covering the whole country. Offering a wide range of services to residential and commercial customers in fixed lines and broadband Internet, Türk Telekomünikasyon A.Ş has 14.5 million Fixed Access Lines, and 7 million ADSL connections (bulk) as of September 30, 2012. 55% of Türk Telekom shares belongs to Ojer Telekomünikasyon A.Ş. and 30% belongs to the Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Under secretariat of Treasury. Türk Telekom pioneers in developing and implementing the low-carbon business model in Turkey with its work towards social, economical and environmental sustainability. It also transforms its products, services, office practices and work processes according to sustainability principles in order to achieve this purpose and considers including all of its employees, their families, suppliers and customers into this process as a part of its strategy. Türk Telekom is the first telecommunication company calculating and reporting its carbon footprint to CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) in Turkey.
Türk Telekom ranked #1 for four years since 2009 in "Turkey's Most Valuable Brands" survey conducted by Brand Finance and Capital.
Official Energy Sponsor
The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) is the state-owned oil and natural gas company responsible for producing oil and natural gas in Azerbaijan, operating the country's two refineries, running the country's pipeline system, and managing the country's oil and natural gas imports and exports as well as sale of petrochemical products in domestic and international markets. SOCAR is party to all of the international consortia developing oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan and strongly expanded its own presence in the leading consortia, and has a significant and increasing share in Azerbaijan’s 1 million bpd oil production. SOCAR has a controlling market share in Azerbaijan and Georgia and is also present and developing in Turkey.
Official Investment Agency
The Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT) was established under the auspices of the Prime Ministry in 2006. ISPAT is the official organization for promoting Turkey’s investment opportunities to the global business community and providing assistance to investors before, during and after their entry into Turkey. ISPAT serves as a reference point for international investors and as a point of contact for all institutions engaged in promoting and attracting investments at national, regional and local levels. It works on a fully confidential basis and combines a private sector approach with the backing of all governmental bodies. ISPAT’s free-of-charge services include, but are not limited to, providing market information and analyses, site selection, B2B meetings, coordination with relevant governmental institutions, and facilitating legal procedures and applications, such as establishing business operations, incentive applications, obtaining licenses and work permits.
