Former minister says he became Tekstilbank board member through head hunters

Şehriban Oğhan - ISTANBUL

Hürriyet Photo

Former Energy Minister Hilmi Güler said it was through head hunters that he became a board member of Turkey’s Tekstilbank, a majority stake of which was acquired by China’s Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC). 

Some 75.5 percent of the bank’s stakes have become officially owned by the ICBC, with Turkey’s former energy minister Hilmi Güler selected as the only Turkish member of the board as of yet, according to the company’s statement addressing the stock exchange. 

“I was not appointed for this position. I was selected for this position after being contacted by a group of head hunters, thanks to my 45-year work experience in defense industries, energy and mining technologies,” said Güler, who was made an independent board member in Turkey’s biggest mobile operator, Turkcell, by the Capital Markets Board (SPK). 

The SPK appointed independent board members in 2013, as shareholders of Turkcell were unable to agree on the composition of its board and distribute its dividends. 

Güler said the ICBC has strongly believed in Turkey’s high potentials so, as the largest bank of the world, it made an investment in the country’s banking sector. 

“I believe ICBC representatives made detailed analyses about Turkey before entering its market and they found the country’s sources very attractive,” he said.

“As one of the six members of the board, I will protect the rights of the ICBC and other investors in the stock exchange,” he said, adding that some 11,000 workers of the bank’s 15,000 workers are from local markets. 

The ICBC is active in 43 countries around the world. 

He said the bank will make a great contribution to the country’s economy if it can play a role in financing leading industrial projects. 

Güler said he first met with Chinese businesspeople in 2005 during the former Chinese president’s visit to Turkey. He has prepared potential investment areas for Chinese parties in several sectors, mainly in energy and mining. He has also taken part in several energy, defense and telecommunications sectors with Chinese companies.