Mobile Operator Turkcell: We may consider investing in Egypt, Somalia and Libya

Turkcell’s Süreyya Ciliv says the large call center in Erzurum contributes much to the underdeveloped province’s economy.Turkcell, Turkey’s largest mobile phone operator, is seeking ways to enter the Libyan market following the political shift in the country, according to General Manager Süreyya Ciliv.

Under the former Moammar Gadhafi regime in Libya, Turkcell was invited to become the third operator in the country some 18 months ago but due to the poor competition environment Turkcell hesitated, Ciliv told a small group of journalists during a recent event to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the company’s large call center in the underdeveloped eastern province of Erzurum.

“The existing two operators in Egypt already belonged to members of the Gadhafi family,” Ciliv said.

The Egyptian government also wanted Turkcell to build a fiber optic cable network there, he added.

As conditions in the North African country changed, however, his company may today consider investing there, the general manager said.

“Our friends are working on the issue,” he said. Turkcell also wants to go into the Somalia market, Ciliv said.

Call center enlivens local economy

The company employs 850 people at its call center in Erzurum, which contributes much to the province’s economy, Ciliv told journalists during a press meeting there on Wednesday. The company plans to hire about 400 more people by the end of the year.

“Turkcell’s investment has encouraged other companies to invest in Erzurum,” Ciliv said.

In a statement on Thursday, Türk Telekom, Turkey’s largest landline operator said it employs 576 women and 504 men at its call center in Erzurum.

Avea, the third biggest mobile operator, and Finansbank, a Turkish lender, also operate call centers in Erzurum.

The business also contributes to development in the city’s social life, according to a recent report prepared by the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey, or TEPAV, for Turkcell.

Call centers are increasing women’s employment and preventing migration, the report showed.

September 15, 2011
SOURCE: Hürriyet Daily News