Mega Middle Eastern Companies eye Turkey for investments

"We plan to raise $350 million for a fund dedicated to Turkey," Rajiv Nakani told Reuters on the sidelines of a private equity conference. "We'll be going up to the market again in early 2012 to talk about a GCC fund."

Nakani said both funds would invest in consumer-centric sectors such as financial services, logistics, retail, healthcare and manufacturing.

In May, Global Capital Management's Global Buyout Fund acquired a stake in Turkey's Yargici, an upscale women's apparel and accessories retailer.

Nakani said the company is also in discussion to exit its investment in Kuwait's Al Rayan Holding, although he did not provide a timeframe on any deals.

"We will probably come out with a 10 to 15 percent (initial rate of return) on that," he said. "That is where our valuation is and hopefully the valuation of the buyer would come more or less in line."

Global Capital Management manages private equity, real estate, and hedge funds in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Aramax, a major Middle Eastern cargo company is also planning to expand to Turkey.