European bank invests 70 million euros in Turkish-run marina chain
ANKARA
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Bank (EBRD) announced on May 29 that it had invested 70 million euros to acquire a stake of nearly 25 percent in a Turkish-owned marina company.
“The EBRD has signed investment agreements to become a shareholder in D Marinas B.V., the holding company for a network of currently 10 marinas in Croatia, Greece, and Turkey, operating under the brand name D-Marin,” the bank said in a statement.
The funds will be used to finance the company’s growth plans, including the development of marina management operations, further acquisitions, and deleveraging, it said.
D Marinas B.V., whose ultimate beneficial owner is Turkish conglomerate Doğuş Holding, is the largest and only international chain of marinas in the Eastern Mediterranean, boasting some 8,000 berths, the bank said.
Jurgen Rigterink, the EBRD’s first vice president, said the investment aims to open up new opportunities for local businesses, as well as create new jobs.
“The beginning of the tourism season is the right time to sign such an important investment where the EBRD can provide much-needed capital for the next steps of development in the tourism sector, which is so important for Croatia, Greece, and Turkey,” Rigterink said.
Doğuş chairman Ferit Şahenk said the partnership highlights Turkey’s efforts and success to become an internationally known brand.
“This agreement is a testament to D Marinas’ success, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean basin, where the potential for tourism is still rising, and accordingly our strategy is to expand further in the region,” he said.
“This agreement also underscores the great progress that Turkish businesses have made in recent years globally. I believe our partnership will contribute positively to the cooperation between all sides and create a constructive momentum and motivation for the Turkish business community,” said Şahenk.
The EBRD signed its first project in Croatia in 1994 and has invested over 3.6 billion euros in 198 projects in the country to date.
