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11

1992

Under the

direction of Saim

Akçıl, The Black

Sea Chamber

Orchestra

(the seed of

today’s Tekfen

Philharmonic)

was founded

with the participation of 17 musicians from

11 countries, aiming to develop relations

among different cultures and to create a

common language in the name of peace.

In subsequent years, countries from the

Caspian and East Mediterranean regions

were also added, and the orchestra came

to be known as “The Sound of Three Seas.”

Today, Tekfen Philharmonic is made up

of musicians from 23 countries, and its

repertoire includes works from classical

music as well as original programs from

composers of its three regions and special

performances featuring local instruments.

Nihat Gökyiğit

Co-founder and Honorary

President

Think of the region that makes up

this orchestra. All the troubles of

the world are there. All upheavals

and armed conflicts. But despite

that, individuals from these

countries come together to make

music in great harmony, in an

atmosphere of fraternity and

friendship. In effect, they are

telling the politicians of their

respective countries, “Look at us!

Learn from us. Collaborate like we

do, in harmony and brotherhood.

Bring peace and welfare to the

region, which it deserves and

needs so much.”

1993

Hallesche Mitteldeutsche

Bau (HMB), one of the

construction giants of

the former East Germany

(GDR), was privatized and bought by

Tekfen Group. There were 4,100 employees

working at the company, which was

gradually decommissioned when low

productivity and difficult work conditions in

Germany hindered profitability.

One of İstanbul’s most successful real estate

investments and the best shopping malls of

the world, Akmerkez opened its doors on

December 18, 1993. Bringing a brand new

style to shopping in İstanbul, Akmerkez was

selected the best shopping mall of Europe

in 1995 and of the world in 1996. It received

many other international accolades in

subsequent years.

The first branch of Makro, which would

later become of the leading supermarket

chains in Turkey with 25 branches, was

opened at Akmerkez. Makro became one

of the important players of the Turkish

retail industry between 1993 and 2000,

when it was sold to Tansaş in a profitable

transaction.

Erhan Öner, Chairman of the Board of

Toros Agri, was elected president of IFA

(International Fertilizer

Industry Association), the

most effective institution in

the world regarding fertilizers.

Toros hosted the 62nd Annual

Meeting of IFA in İstanbul in

1994.

1994

Toros Agri became the first to produce

zinc-supplemented fertilizer. Zinc has very

positive effects in terms of productivity

and human health, and the level of

success in adding zinc to soil through the

use of fertilizers

had international

repercussions. In

many countries

around the world,

companies followed

the example set

by Toros Agri and

began producing

zinc-supplemented

fertilizers.

1996

Tekfen Construction and Azerbaijan State

Petroleum Company SOCAR partnered

in 1996 to found Azfen with the aim of

addressing the opportunities in the Caspian

Region, the emerging energy production

centre of the world, and to rapidly complete

the projects direly needed by Azerbaijan.

The priorities of the company included

pipelines, platforms, and terminals.

1997

Murat Gigin

Chairman of the Board of

Directors, CEO

Azfen continues its steady

progress as our most

consistent business in the

region.

Built in Ceyhan, Toros Agri High School

opened the doors of its 30-classroom

building to students. A year later, Toros

Primary School in Kurtpınarı, Ceyhan also

began accepting students.

Tekfen Construction won the tender for the

construction of İstanbul Atatürk Olympic

Stadium. The stadium with a seating

capacity of 80 thousand was opened in

2002.

Papfen LLC, a joint venture by Tekfen and

the Uzbekistan Ministry of Light Industry,

was founded in Uzbekistan with the aim

of producing cotton yarn for knitwear and

weaving. In 2010, the plant came under the

sole ownership of Tekfen.