Infrastructure investments = M&A opportunities in Turkey?
Excluding energy & telecom industries, infrastructure investments in Turkey are expected to reach USD700bn for the next decade. Majority of this amount will be channeled to urban development in order to rebuild 6.5m residential units that face earthquake risk.
Transportation will remain as the second investment
focus in terms of value, consisting 35% of the total infrastructure
investments. Other specific projects such as Health campuses, Canal Istanbul,
2020 Olympics are also on the investment agenda, bringing along new business
opportunities. Given that, M&A activity in Turkey is expected to peak as it
represents substantial investment opportunities not only in infrastructure but
also in many related industries.
First of all, construction activity will gradually rise
as urban development projects will largely be undertaken by the private sector.
Moreover, Istanbul Finance Centre (IFC) project will have a positive impact on
the financial services industry.
With this project, it is aimed to develop Istanbul into
a regional finance hub while taking advantage of its geographical position and
solid banking sector of the country. Consequently, financial services and
construction sectors in Turkey are expected to be in the radar of the investors
for the next years which may also increase related M&A deals.
Safe-haven government bonds versus Infrastructure
Considering Eurozone crisis coupled
with the fall in yields on safe-haven government bonds, infrastructure sector
in Turkey seemed an attractive option among investors focused on assets with
stable cash flow. Turkey’s robust foreign trade fuelled by high GDP growth
rates attracted many international investors including government-backed funds.
French Inframinervois’ investment in
Iskenderun Port, Kumport investment by Ministry of Finance-Oman and Italian VEI
Capital’s stake acquisition in Global Liman have been remarkable M&A deals
in Turkish infrastructure sector.
Besides, transportation investments (of c. USD250bn) also foreshadow an increase in related M&A activity as the project aims to
connect the underdeveloped Anatolian hinterland to coastal hubs. Realization of
this project may boost both domestic and foreign trade in the area while
resulting in higher cash flows.
Consequently, cost-efficiency in
exports and growing dynamism in the region will definitely whet the appetite of
strategic investors that seek geographical diversification. Furthermore,
private equity and venture capital funds are also expected to seize the
undiscovered opportunities in Anatolia, as the region has remained isolated from foreign investments mainly due to infrastructure problems.
Even the above-mentioned projects will
significantly ameliorate related industries, many other projects will ensue as there are still numerous
projects available for prospective investors.
Edit: As of May 2013, two important
infrastructure projects have found their investors. Firstly, Turkish consortium
Limak-Cengiz-Kolin-Mapa-Kalyon OGG has won the tender for 25-year
build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract for İstanbul's third airport with 22.1
billion euros bid.
Secondly, Doguş Holding won Galataport tender as it bid
$702m for the right to develop and operate the port area for 30 years.