Business news

MINSK, 16 August (BelTA) – Chief Executive Officer of the Turkish mobile carrier Turkcell Kaan Terzioglu counts on new large-scale projects between Belarus and Turkey. Kaan Terzioglu made the relevant statement for mass media on 16 August, BelTA has learned.

The Turkcell CEO noted that the Turkish mobile carrier is ready to be a link in business interaction between Belarus and Turkey. “Belarus President Aide Vsevolod Yanchevsky met with the chief economic advisor to Turkey’s president in Ankara last week. The meeting was very productive and effective. Part of the meeting was dedicated to discussing cooperation between the two countries in telecommunications, high technologies, investments in information and communication technologies as well as prospects of Turkcell’s operation in Belarus,” said Kaan Terzioglu.

Apart from that, the conversation touched upon proposed changes in the legal regulation of the telecommunication industry. “I believe that the changes that may happen in Belarus will be beneficial primarily for subscribers. Apart from that, matters of foreign investments were discussed. It is important not only for us but also for other businessmen, who are ready to invest in Belarus,” added the Turkcell CEO.

Kaan Terzioglu is expected to meet with Vsevolod Yanchevsky in Minsk today. Kaan Terzioglu said he expects it would be possible to prepare a number of large-scale joint projects before the Turkey president’s visit to Belarus, projects that would deserve attention of the heads of state. “Today’s meeting will focus on informatization in Belarus and Turkey, including the introduction of information technologies in healthcare, education, other services provided by government agencies. Some of the services are provided by our company in Turkey. Our Belarusian team has always made a strong contribution in the development of this area here,” explained Kaan Terzioglu. Preparations for the forthcoming visit of Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Belarus will also be on agenda. The visit will take place very soon, added Kaan Terzioglu.

Kaan Terzioglu confirmed Turkcell’s intention to continue investing in the development of the Belarusian mobile carrier life:). In Q2 2016 life:)’s revenues in Belarusian rubles increased by over 25% and the carrier intends to continue the trend. Apart from that, the number of life:) subscribers has reached 1.6 million people. At present life:) is the only Belarusian mobile carrier, whose number of subscribers continues growing.

The private joint-stock company (ZAO) Belarusian Telecommunications Network (BeST) was registered on 5 November 2004. In July 2008 a contract was signed to sell 20% of ZAO BeST shares to the State Property Committee of Belarus and 80% of the shares to the Turkish mobile carrier Turkcell. Since then the Belarusian mobile carrier started using the life:) brand in Belarus. Over the years life:) has launched 33 voice plans, 56 Internet access plans, has established cooperation with 271 roaming partners in 143 countries, and has opened 150 retail and service outlets.

Turkcell is the leading mobile carrier in Turkey with 34.5 million subscribers and Europe’s third largest GSM mobile carrier with 66.5 million subscribers in nine countries.