IFC is providing Arkas Holding, $335 million syndicated loan facility to help accelerate investments aimed at strengthening transportation and logistics infrastructure.
Arkas Holding will receive $260.3 million as the first tranche of the syndicated loan, which was arranged with the participation of international financial institutions under the leadership of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. The remaining portion of the financing package is expected to be signed in the coming months.
This financing package, which includes institutions such as Emirates NBD and ILX Fund, will be used to fund Arkas’s sustainable operations and support the expansion of port infrastructure and intermodal transportation fleet. Part of the loan will be allocated for refinancing short- and medium-term loans, enabling Arkas to realize long-term investment projects.
Arkas: “This Agreement Strengthens Türkiye’s Strategic Bridge Position Between East and West”
Arkas Holding and IFC officials gathered in Izmir to mark the signing of the loan agreement.
During the meeting, Arkas Holding Chairman Lucien Arkas stated: “This loan agreement, led by IFC, not only certifies Arkas’s transportation strength internationally, but also Türkiye’s. By directing the financing to our port and transportation investments, we are working to strengthen Türkiye’s strategic bridge position between east and west. This investment will enhance the effectiveness of the Middle Corridor, making our country an even more critical point in the global transportation network.”
IFC Regional Head of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Laura Vecvagare also spoke at the meeting: “This landmark investment demonstrates the vital role of the private sector in transforming Türkiye’s transportation and logistics landscape. Through our partnership with Arkas Holding, IFC is supporting the expansion of port capacity and the modernization of transport networks, driving economic growth and job creation. These efforts are crucial for unlocking the full potential of the Middle Corridor and advancing Türkiye’s role in the global logistics.”
Contribution to Strengthening the Middle Corridor
This agreement stands out as one of the most significant international financings to the private sector in Türkiye, as part of the World Bank Group’s strategy to support the East-West trade flows through the Middle Corridor (Central Asia – Caucasus – Türkiye – Europe route).
Within the framework of the World Bank Group’s strategy to diversify and expand global trade development of modern and efficient port and transportation infrastructure in Türkiye is a strategic priority. The IFC financing will fund Arkas’s planned investments to increase port capacity, strengthen connected road and rail lines, and support environmentally friendly energy practices, making the country’s transportation network more competitive.
The meeting was attended by Arkas Holding Vice Chairperson Bernard Arkas, as well as Önder Türkkanı, Cenk Sivrioğlu, Orhun Alşan, Perla Karmona, and Aylin Saul. IFC was represented by Laura Vecvagare, Azhar Iqbal Hussain and Sudipta Husain.
