At a press conference held Thursday in New York, Forbes Editor-in-Chief Steve Forbes announced its annual list of billionaires, with 1,011 individuals making the list, up from 793 last year despite a difficult year for global economies. The list also saw the first non-American at the top since 1994 with Carlos Slim Helu, a Mexican telecommunications tycoon, as the richest man in the world, worth $53.5 billion. Bill Gates was a close second with $53 billion.
Turkey’s performance was also noteworthy, as 28 Turks made the list, up from 13 billionaires the previous year. Hüsnü Özyeğin of the Fiba Group was the richest Turkish billionaire on the list with a net worth of $3 billion at 316th place. Mehmet Emin Karamehmet of Çukurova Holding was 342nd and the second richest Turk, worth $2.9 billion. Following them was Şarık Tara of Enka Construction with $2.6 billion in 367th place.
Steve Forbes, speaking to Turkish reporters after announcing the list, stated that the significant recovery of Turkey in the financial markets and the lira gaining value against the dollar increased the wealth of many of the richest Turks -- leading to 15 more of them making the list. Turkey is gradually removing obstacles to business, and this is opening the path for growth, Forbes stated. He also emphasized the importance of political stability for economic growth in Turkey and called on politicians to ensure that this stability persists.
Regarding a possible agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that was recently called off, Forbes said Turkey would be more successful if it is able to leave the IMF out of its economy.
