blog, Tourism blog

Get to know the Mall of Istanbul

Mall of Istanbul is a large shopping center located in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the largest and most popular malls in the city, attracting locals and tourists alike with its wide range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.

The mall opened in 2014 and has since become a popular destination for shopping and entertainment activities. The mall covers an area of 350,000 square meters and has more than 350 stores, including many international brands. It is a modern, spacious complex with wide hallways and plenty of natural light.

One of the outstanding features of the Mall of Istanbul is the wide range of shops. It offers everything from high fashion brands such as Gucci and Prada as well as other stores such as H&M and Zara in addition to having many electronics stores, home décor stores and beauty salons, making it a one stop shop for all your shopping needs.

In addition to shopping, the Mall of Istanbul offers a variety of entertainment options. You will find a large 12-screen cinema complex showing the latest movies, as well as a bowling alley, a virtual reality center and an indoor ski slope. These activities make the mall a popular destination for families and groups of friends looking for a fun day out.

Food is also a major attraction at the Mall of Istanbul. There are over 100 restaurants and cafés serving everything from Turkish cuisine to international favorites like sushi and pizza. The mall also has a large food court offering a variety of fast food options.

The Mall of Istanbul is easy to reach by public transportation, as there is a metro station right next to the mall. There is also ample parking available for those who drive.

All in all, the Mall of Istanbul is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a fun day of shopping, dining, and entertainment in Istanbul. Its array of shops, entertainment, and dining options make it a great place to spend time with family and friends, and its convenient location and easy accessibility make it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

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blog, Tourism blog

Learn about the tallest Camlica Tower in Istanbul

Camlica Tower, also known as the TV and Radio Tower, is a famous landmark located in Istanbul, Turkey. The tower is the tallest building in Istanbul, standing at 365 meters (1,198 ft). It is located on a hill in the üsküdar district, on the Asian side of Istanbul, and offers stunning panoramic views of the city.

Construction of the tower began in 2016 and was completed in 2019. It was designed by Turkish architecture firm Melike Altinisik Architects and built by a consortium of Turkish firms. The tower is a modern and elegant building that stands out against the surrounding hills and buildings. It has become a new symbol of Istanbul and a popular tourist attraction.

The tower is not only a beautiful structure, but also an important radio focus. It is home to more than 50 FM radio stations, as well as many TV channels. It also houses a restaurant, a café, a museum, and a panoramic view, making it a multi-functional attraction that both locals and tourists enjoy.

The panoramic viewing platform, located at an altitude of 220 meters (722 feet), provides a 360-degree panoramic view of Istanbul. Visitors can see the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, and the European side of Istanbul, as well as famous landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.

Located on the upper floors of the tower, the restaurant and café offers a unique dining experience with stunning views of the city. The restaurant serves a range of Turkish and international cuisine, while the coffee shop offers a selection of drinks and snacks.

Located in the lower floors of the tower, the museum displays the history of broadcasting in Türkiye. It contains a collection of old radio and television equipment, as well as interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn about the development of broadcast technology.

The construction of the Camlica Tower was not without controversy. Some people have criticized the tower for being too tall and disproportionate to the surrounding landscape. However, others see the tower as a beautiful and modern addition to the Istanbul skyline, and that it provides an important service such as a broadcasting center.

Overall, Camlica Tower is a must-visit for anyone visiting Istanbul. It offers stunning views of the city, a unique dining experience, and the opportunity to learn about the history of broadcasting in Turkey. It is a testament to Istanbul’s modernity and commitment to embracing new technologies and architectural styles.

 

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blog, Real estate blog

A look at Türkiye in 2023

As of 2023, Turkey is a country that is still going through change and progress in various aspects of life. The country is heading towards its centenary as a republic with a bright future in many fields.

One of the most important changes in Türkiye is the infrastructure. The country has embarked on several mega infrastructure projects, including Istanbul Airport, which is now one of the largest airports in the world. In addition, the Marmaray Tunnel, which connects the European and Asian sides of Istanbul via an underwater railway tunnel, has been completed. The Istanbul Canal project, which will create a new waterway connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, is also underway.

The Turkish economy continues to grow, with an emphasis on diversification and technological innovation. Turkey has several world-leading manufacturers of cars, textiles, and other products, and the country’s tourism industry is booming. In addition, Turkey has become a hub for tech startups, and the government has made significant investments in research and development to boost innovation.

Politically, Turkey has a presidential system of government, with Recep Tayyip Erdogan serving as the country’s president. The country has gone through major political changes in recent years, including a constitutional referendum in 2017 that led to the implementation of a presidential system. Turkey’s relations with other countries, including the United States and the European Union, were complex, but Turkey continued to play an important role in regional and global politics.

Turkey’s cultural scene is diverse and vibrant, with a rich history and traditions still celebrated. The country is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient city of Ephesus and the historic city of Istanbul. Turkey is also known for its cuisine, which combines the flavors of the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

In terms of social issues, Turkey has made great strides in recent years to promote gender equality and women’s rights. The state implemented policies to combat domestic violence and improve women’s access to education and health care. In addition, Turkey has received millions of Syrian refugees and made great efforts to provide assistance and support to those in need.

In conclusion, Turkey in 2023 is a country that will witness great changes and progress in various aspects of life. From infrastructure to economy to politics and culture, Turkey is a country with a bright future ahead

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blog, Real estate blog

Real estate development in Türkiye

Real estate development in Turkey has been booming over the past few years, and Istanbul, as the country’s largest city and economic hub, has been at the forefront of this trend. From luxury apartments to commercial real estate, real estate investment has become an attractive option for both local and foreign investors.

In recent years, the Turkish government has made efforts to encourage real estate investment in the country. These efforts included tax incentives, simplified government transactions, and the creation of special economic zones. The government has also implemented policies to make it easier for foreigners to buy real estate in Türkiye.

Istanbul, with a population of more than 15 million, has seen a boom in real estate development in recent years. One of the reasons for this is the city’s growing economy and increasing urbanization. Istanbul’s population is expected to reach 18 million by 2025, creating a high demand for new residential and commercial spaces.

The city’s real estate market is divided into several regions, each with its own unique characteristics. The most popular areas for real estate investment in Istanbul are the European side, the Asian side, and the city center. The European side is the most developed and has the highest real estate prices, while the Asian side is an emerging area with low prices and great potential for growth.

In recent years, there has been a rise in luxury real estate development in Istanbul, with the construction of many high-end apartments and villas. These projects target affluent buyers who are looking for modern and luxurious living spaces. However, there are also many affordable housing options available, particularly in the outer areas of the city.

In addition to residential real estate, the development of commercial real estate in Istanbul is also on the rise. The city is home to many international companies and has a thriving tourism industry, which makes it an attractive location for business investment. Many new shopping malls, office buildings and hotels are being built to meet the growing demand.

Despite the growth in the real estate market, there are some challenges that investors may face. These include bureaucratic hurdles, legal complexities, and exchange rate volatility. However, with the right support and guidance from real estate consulting firms, these challenges can be overcome, and investors can benefit from the city’s thriving real estate market.

In conclusion, real estate development in Turkey, especially in Istanbul, has been on the rise in recent years. With the growth of the economy and the increase in urbanization and the commitment of the government to encourage investment.

The city offers many opportunities for both local and foreign investors. From luxury apartments to commercial properties, there is definitely something for everyone in Istanbul’s thriving real estate market.

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blog, legal blog

A step-by-step guide to setting up a company in Turkey to start a business in a growing economy

Setting up a company in Türkiye can be a challenge, but it is a rewarding business. Turkey is a country with a growing economy, a strategic location, and a young and skilled workforce.

In recent years, Turkey has made great progress in streamlining the process of starting and running a business, and attracting more foreign investors to its market. In this article, we will discuss the necessary steps to establish a company in Türkiye.

Select company type:

The first step in establishing a company in Türkiye is to determine the type of company best suited to your needs. The most common types of companies in Türkiye are:

A limited liability company

Shareholding company

liaison office

Each type of company has advantages and disadvantages.

The Limited Liability Company is the most common type of company in Turkey and offers protection to the shareholders, as they are only required up to the limits of their shares.

As for the joint stock company, it is a larger company with a higher capital and can be traded publicly.

Whereas, a liaison office is a non-commercial office that can only engage in certain activities, such as market research.

Choose the company name and address:

Once you have decided on the type of company, you need to choose a company name and address.

The company name must be unique and not already registered in Türkiye. You can check the availability of the company name you want on the Turkish Commercial Register newspaper website.

Also, the company must have a physical address in Türkiye where the company will be registered.

Drafting and signing of the Articles of Association:

Articles of Association is a legal document that defines the internal regulations of a company, such as its purpose, management structure, shareholder rights, and responsibilities. The Memorandum of Association must be signed by all shareholders and notarized by the Turkish Notary Public.

Obtaining a tax identification number:

Before registering your company, you need to obtain a tax identification number from the Turkish Tax Office. This number is required for all business transactions and tax returns in Türkiye.

company Registration:

To register the company, you need to submit the following documents to the Turkish Trade Registry:

The Basic Law

Company name and address

Tax identification number

Passport or identity card of all shareholders and directors

Residence permit (for foreign shareholders and directors)

Once the documents are verified and approved, the company will be registered in the Turkish Trade Registry.

Obtaining the necessary permits and licenses:

Depending on the type of business, you may need to obtain additional permits and licenses from government departments. For example, if you plan to open a restaurant, you will need a food service permit.

Open a bank account:

After registering the company, you need to open a bank account in Türkiye to conduct business transactions.

Conclusion:

Setting up a company in Turkey can be a complicated process, but it has become easier with the government’s efforts to streamline procedures. By following the above steps, you can establish a successful business in Turkey and take advantage of the country’s growing economy and strategic location. It is important to seek professional advice from attorneys, accountants, and business advisors to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.

 

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blog, legal blog

Intellectual property protection in Turkey: patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets

Intellectual property refers to the rights granted to the creators and owners of original works or inventions. These rights are crucial in protecting the investments and creative efforts of individuals and businesses. In Turkey, intellectual property protection is governed by various laws, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Patents in Türkiye:

A patent is a legal instrument that gives the owner exclusive rights to prevent others from using, selling, or manufacturing an invention for a certain period. Patent Law No. 6769 regulates patent protection. To qualify for a patent, the invention must be novel and industrially applicable.

The Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT) is responsible for granting and registering patents in Turkey. The patent registration process usually takes about 2-3 years, and the patent protection period is 20 years from the date of filing.

Brands in Türkiye:

A trademark is a symbol, design, word, or combination of such elements that identify and distinguish one company’s goods or services from those of another. The Industrial Property Law No. 6769 governs the protection of trademarks.

To register a trademark in Turkey, the owner must submit an application to TÜRKPATENT. The registration process usually takes 8 to 12 months, and the trademark protection period is 10 years from the date of registration. Trademark owners must renew their trademarks every 10 years to maintain their protection.

Copyright in Türkiye:

Copyright is a legal right that protects literary, artistic, musical, and other original creative works. Copyright Act No. 5846 governs copyright protection.

Copyright protection in Türkiye is automatic and does not require registration. The owner of a copyrighted work has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, publicly display, or perform the work. Copyright protection lasts for the life of the content creator plus 70 years after their death.

Trade secrets in Türkiye:

A trade secret is confidential information that is valuable to a business and is not known to the general public. Trade secrets can include formulas, processes, or customer lists. Trade Secrets Law No. 6769 regulates the protection of trade secrets.

Under this law, companies can protect their trade secrets by implementing appropriate measures to keep information confidential. In the case of misappropriation of trade secrets, the company can seek legal remedies, such as damages or injunctions.

Conclusion:

Intellectual property protection is crucial in promoting innovation, creativity and economic growth. The legal framework for intellectual property protection in Turkey includes patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws. It is important for companies and individuals to understand these laws and take the necessary steps to protect their intellectual property rights. By doing so, they can protect their investment and creative efforts and prevent others from profiting from their ideas and inventions.

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blog, Real estate blog

Earthquake resistance systems in Turkish buildings and real estate

Earthquake-resistant buildings within modern residential complexes and independent buildings of Turkish real estate are among the advantages that encourage many to buy real estate in Turkey.

What is meant by earthquake resistant buildings?

They are buildings designed to protect lives and property in the event of earthquakes and earthquakes. The Turkish government obligated all contracting companies to build projects that include earthquake-resistant systems, especially after the devastating earthquake that hit the northern Marmara region in 1999, and among the laws that the Turkish government obliges everyone who owns real estate in Turkey of any kind to insure it against earthquakes and natural disasters, which is an annual insurance called “DASK” in Turkey.

The urban and engineering sector in Turkey has witnessed great development in the past two decades, and earthquake-resistant buildings have been constructed. There are five basic criteria that must be adhered to when constructing earthquake-resistant buildings:

Designing buildings in such a way that support is provided for the building by lining the roofs and walls with a solid square that remains stable when earthquakes occur, and the vertical support of the building tends to help resist lateral forces generated by earthquakes.
As for the towers and skyscrapers, they are built on separate bases consisting of springs, cylinders, and metal balls whose function is to absorb shocks so that the building is not exposed to vibrations resulting from earthquakes.
The use of strong building joints that help reduce risks and absorb pressure, which makes them able to absorb seismic forces, and also makes the building work as a single unit without disintegrating due to an earthquake.
Another important characteristic is the strength of the foundations of the building that characterize earthquake-resistant buildings, where the appropriate soil is chosen to build the buildings on it and dirt or sandy areas are removed from it, and the construction of buildings on a solid ground reduces the vibration of the building in the event of earthquakes.
The dimensions of the building are taken into account. In the event that the length of the building exceeds 50 meters, expansion and landing joints are placed on the upper floors, and seismic joints are put in place, with the aim of maintaining the safety of the building in the event that the area is exposed to earthquakes.

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blog, Real estate blog

The Turkish government financially supports real estate agencies with the aim of promoting real estate to foreigners

The Turkish government said that it will provide millions of liras (as financial support) to real estate agencies in the country and companies that promote the sale of real estate to foreigners, according to the decree issued by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Media reports revealed that the drawing, which was published in the Official Gazette before yesterday, Wednesday, included the country’s real estate sector within the scope of “service exports,” adding that countries will grant money to companies and other institutions in Turkey that provide real estate services to foreigners.

The Ministry of Commerce is set to provide approximately 1.8 million liras ($122,000) annually to support advertising and up to 300,000 liras ($20,400) to participate in exhibitions and other events.

The decision also stipulated that the concerned ministry would provide financial support amounting to 600,000 Egyptian pounds ($40,800) for marketing by launching products in films and TV series.

Turkish real estate sales to foreigners recorded a record high last year with more than 58 thousand properties, an increase of 43.5% year on year, and Turkish real estate sales to foreigners increased in the first quarter of 2022 by 45.1%, by more than 14 thousand properties, which is the best number ever since the removal of restrictions on foreign ownership of Turkish real estate in mid-2012.

 

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blog, Real estate blog

Which is better, real estate ownership in city centers or in the suburbs?

As soon as the idea of buying a property arises, a set of questions arises that start and almost never end. One does not buy a property every day, and the main goals of foreigners are to own Turkish real estate in housing, real estate investment in Turkey, or obtain Turkish citizenship.

The location of the property is the main concern and the first thing that comes to mind, and the goal of purchase plays a major role in determining the specifications of the residential property that differs from the investment property as well as the areas, and looking at the map of Istanbul we see that it extends over two continents separated by the Bosphorus Strait that connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.

As is known,

Istanbul is divided into 39 municipalities, 25 of which are on the European side and 14 on the Asian side.

Areas such as “Fatih, Beyoglu, Sisli, Besiktas, Uskudar, Eminonu, Topkapi” are considered centers of the city of Istanbul, and those working in the real estate sector divide Istanbul into four lines:

downtown line.
around city centres.
the coast.
suburban line.

Areas such as: Buyukcekmece, Silivri on the outskirts of Istanbul are classified.

We have to know that every district in Istanbul has its own municipality. If the customer is looking for a service area and believes that the suburbs are without services, then he is mistaken because each municipality is separate from the other and provides its services to the population by organizing infrastructure, public facilities, buildings, and health, educational and recreational centers.

As for prices, the prices of Istanbul real estate in city centers are higher than in the suburbs. The closer to the city center, the higher the price and vice versa. In terms of quality, this has nothing to do with the location of the property. We may find real estate and residential complexes on the outskirts of Istanbul with a degree of quality, modernity and workmanship much higher than real estate in the city center.

The reason for the high real estate prices in the centers of Istanbul is due to the increase in demand for them, just like any vital city in the world “Dubai, London, New York…”.

And about the best places to own real estate in Istanbul, it is difficult to name one area without another, because the matter depends, as we mentioned in the introduction, on the purpose of the purchase.

The other thing is the buyer’s budget. Whoever wants to buy a property within the centers of Istanbul should know that Istanbul real estate prices in 2022 for city centers are very high and can start from a million dollars and rise more as we head towards the banks of the Bosphorus without a specific ceiling.

As for Istanbul real estate prices in the suburbs, they are low compared to real estate in city centers

Not because of its low quality or lack of services around it, but each area is served by separate services and the quality of the property is linked to the construction company itself, but the real reason is the distance of the property from the centers of Istanbul, but some do not see anything negative in this matter, especially since everything they need to buy is within the residential complex in which they live or within the surrounding area and a few minutes away. The same applies to government transactions, although most government transactions can be completed through the e-government application E-Devlet, in almost every region there are government institutions such as directorates of education, country, tax directorates, real estate registry, notary public, and service institutions such as water, gas, electricity, and the Internet

 

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