Istanbul – With a strong turnout of investors, entrepreneurs, and Turkish brand owners, Istanbul hosted the launch ceremony of the International Turkish Franchise and Agency Forum & Expo, organized by EMAAN in strategic partnership with Istanbul Gelişim University, and in investment responsibility partnership with Tebadul Platform and the International Business Council, aiming to promote franchising opportunities and open new avenues for economic cooperation between Turkey and Gulf and Arab markets.
The ceremony was attended by a number of economic and academic figures, as well as business leaders, who emphasized the importance of franchising as an effective tool for business expansion and transferring successful models to new markets.
An Academic Vision Supporting Economic Integration
In this context, Abdulkadir Gayretli, President of Istanbul Gelişim University, highlighted the importance of unity and solidarity between Turkey and the Islamic world in achieving shared success and progress. He stated:
“The more Turkey and the Islamic world unite and move together in a spirit of solidarity in trade and social cooperation, the more success we will achieve.”
For his part, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Harbi, expert in strategic communication, shed light on the unique approach that combines academic and practical aspects, stating:
“We launched an idea that bridges academic and practical elements, inspired by MIT University, to close the gap between brand owners and investors. The relationship begins three months before the forum, where investors visit the brand and its factories directly, enhancing their understanding of the investment before making a decision.”
Promising Investment Opportunities in the Turkish Market
Ghazwan Masri, an advisor and expert in Turkish economic affairs, emphasized the importance of emerging investment projects in Turkey, saying:”EMAAN has succeeded in building bridges of communication, cooperation, and investment between the Arab world and Turkey. Turkey has become the ninth largest supplier to Gulf countries, making it a key trade partner for the region. I consider these emerging projects the greatest gateway to investment.”
A Forum for Business Opportunities and Economic Cooperation
The forum, scheduled for June 28–29, 2025, brings together brands and businessmen, entrepreneurs, and businesswomen, providing direct opportunities to establish franchise partnerships with investors from various sectors.
The exhibition will feature multiple pavilions where companies and brands showcase their business models, in addition to specialized workshops and panel discussions on best practices in the franchising sector, and the opportunities and challenges facing investors in this field.
In their opening remarks, the organizers affirmed that this event represents a strategic platform to boost investments in the Turkish market, as it aims to enhance commercial and economic cooperation and support entrepreneurial projects by providing an enabling environment for connecting brand owners with potential investors.
The forum is expected to witness the signing of several cooperation agreements, reflecting the scale of investment opportunities available in Turkey and the role that franchise agreements can play in stimulating economic growth and strengthening trade relations between Turkey and Gulf and Arab markets.