Start small; get to know the landscape. We take risks but not major risks. We always started with small capital - €4m in Holland, $10m in Russia - and as we get to know the landscape of a country, we think about other businesses.

I tell foreign companies that come here... 'Don't see Turkey as a country of 770,000 sq km and $800bn gross domestic product. This country has the potential to do so much business in the surrounding countries.'

European and American banks are conservative in the sense that they don't come at their full strength to markets where we are; that leaves us an opportunity to be successful.

There are many businesses that are born and die. A university is supposed to live forever.

The most important problem that Turkey has is education.

The easiest way to get into northern Iraq is through Turkey.

It's important to do see the results of your philanthropy while you are alive.

I'm giving away 2 percent of my net income every month. I don't think Bill Gates is doing that.

I was not only a billionaire but the richest man in Turkey. It's a great feeling, but your responsibilities increase.

I want to be remembered as the biggest philanthropist in Turkey.