Ahmet Çalık
Ahmet Çalık | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 1, 1958 Turkey |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Chairman of Çalık Holding |
Ahmet Çalık (born 1 March 1958) is a Turkish billionaire entrepreneur and serves as the chairman of Çalık Holding. As of September 2024, his estimated net worth was US$1.5 billion according to Forbes.
Business
In 1981, Çalık established Ortadogu Tekstil and initiated his investments in eastern Anatolia by launching Çalık Denim in Malatya. By 1997, he unified the group’s diverse enterprises spanning energy, construction, mining, textile, and finance sectors under the umbrella of Çalık Holding.
Events and Controversies
Çalık Holding has encountered criticism related to labor payment disputes and a deadly mining accident. The company appeared in the Paradise Papers and Pandora Papers disclosures, which exposed Ahmet Çalık’s connections to offshore entities utilized for managing various business operations discreetly.
Iliç Mine Accident
On February 13, 2024, a catastrophe took place at the Anagold mine in İliç, Erzincan, during a cyanide leaching procedure. Anagold represents a joint venture between US-Canadian Anagold Mining and Çalık Holding. The incident resulted in nine workers being trapped beneath earth. Hakkı Akil, chief advisor to Çalık, clarified that Çalık Holding functions solely as a financial backer. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel attributed responsibility to Ahmet Çalık due to his profit involvement, calling for the mine's immediate shutdown and accountability for the fatal event.
Paradise Papers and Pandora Papers Offshore Accounts
Ahmet Çalık’s ownership of Çalık Holding includes offshore companies holding multimillion-dollar assets in the British Virgin Islands. Documents from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) revealed that the holding employed shell corporations with significant funds to conduct commercial dealings, as indicated in both the Paradise Papers and Pandora Papers leaks. The Istanbul 21st Civil Court of First Instance ruled against Ahmet Çalık’s defamation suit targeting journalists Pelin Ünker and Orhan Erinç over their Paradise Papers coverage, siding with the reporters.
Albania Investigates Ahmet Çalık's Bank
The Albanian Competition Authority has launched an inquiry into Banka Kombetare Tregtare, Albania's largest bank owned by Ahmet Çalık, Chairman of Çalık Holding. This investigation also involves Raiffeisen Bank, Credins Bank, and Intesa San Paolo Bank, scrutinizing their deposit, loan, transfer policies, commission charges, and interest rates.
Family
Ahmet Çalık lives in Istanbul with his spouse and four children.