Deftly traversing through a landscape governed by a diversity of legal, commercial and geo-political realities, Ezgi Harmanci instils an air of confidence brought about by her academic background and experience.
A lawyer by profession, Avv. Harmanci is specialised in cross-border business set-ups, corporate services, foreign direct investment, immigration, and relocation consultancy as well as wealth planning services.
Having set up her firm in 2015, Harmanci & Partners, Avv. Harmanci has an overview and directorships in several companies, having also co-founded a number of other ventures. Currently heading her own firm as Managing Director, she immediately identifies three pillars around which her current focus revolves – business, law, and diplomacy.
With a Turkish background and based in Malta for many years, Ezgi Harmanci draws on the advantages that familiarity with the two jurisdictions allows. Thanks to a “good Maltese network” as well as a solid one in Türkiye, she stresses that her vision for Harmanci & Partners has always been to have a “boutique, agile firm”. One that lays emphasis on offering a customised, tailor-made service that brings out the best for its clients and creates opportunities especially suited to their requisites. Avv. Harmanci considers that the firm is almost “family to our clients and business partners”.
Agility is quite the hallmark for the firm, given its outlook on business, an eye for good prospects and the ability to cast a wide net across the globe in search of promising markets. Avv. Harmanci mentions that the firm counts among its portfolio of clients a number of leading Turkish enterprises. And indeed, attesting to the continuous pursuit for business leads, the lawyer let in on the plans that Harmanci & Partners is launching operations in London targeting UK-based companies, with services provided including wealth planning and investments among others.
For the firm, “this is the London year”, notes Avv. Harmanci, making reference to the inauguration of operations in 2024. With Malta remaining as its headquarters, Harmanci is “partnering with a London top-tier firm”, with a special focus for investors. Following this new step, one can expect further developments soon.
Just recently the firm also participated at a conference in Dubai, highlighting the firm’s positioning at the major economic hubs across the world, actively creating links and representing clients’ interests. Harmanci & Partners is also establishing contacts in Libya and in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh, underlining a constant thread of connecting people, a vital element in Avv. Harmanci’s approach to the firm’s modus operandi.
She confirms that Harmanci & Partners also collaborates with other Maltese law firms on specific projects, ensuring that clients are well-served according to their requirements. Its offices are housed on the Ta’ Xbiex peninsula, well-known for hosting several embassies, with a view of Valletta across the Marsamxett Harbour and just a couple of minutes away from the Sliema, indirectly perhaps reflecting the firm’s fusion of the diplomatic, legal and business spheres.
Always on the lookout, the Managing Director admits that travel, even if for leisure, can also lead to business opportunities. Listing several such prospects, including in neighbouring countries, it is safe to say that Avv. Harmanci has a good eye to spot the right openings and strive to lead projects to fruition.
As a Partner in Grand Harbour Exclusive, a Malta-based luxury brand catering for investment migration, Avv. Harmanci combines her expertise in wealth planning and international business with access to high-end real estate and the nation’s exclusive residency schemes.
“Putting ideas together” is the lawyer’s forte, she contends, with the ability to create a team around her who are well-prepared to translate her “clients’ vision and dreams” into reality. This pursuit of excellence can be seen in the attention to minute details that she affords in every process. From that perspective, one can immediately gauge the benefits of partnering with a well-connected firm that has a broad overview of what lies on the horizon while giving an individualised service to its clientele.
Currently Deputy Chair of the Maltese-Turkish Business Council, Avv. Harmanci had previously already served as this Council’s first female chairperson for several years. The importance of such a Council can be easily deduced when considering the significance increase in the level of trade and commercial relations between Malta and Turkiye in numerous economic sectors. In her own personal capacity, Avv. Harmanci is a member of The Malta Chamber of Commerce.
Avv. Harmanci is also involved with the World Turkish Business Council (DTIK) – a prestigious body in Türkiye aimed at strengthening the Turkish business community spread worldwide. As an indication of its clout in Turkey, the World Turkish Business Council is established under the auspices of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEIK), with the latter’s legal basis affirming its role to conduct foreign economic relations on behalf of the Turkish private sector.
This in-house combination of business acumen, legal know-how and well-developed networks in various key jurisdictions places Harmanci & Partners in quite a privileged position on the local scene. The firm steps in to “give a hand and offer expertise,” serve as “a companion” to guide through regulations and maintain its business advisory role.
As the Malta-based advisory firm continues to develop, now with a foothold in London and with operations on mainland Europe, the North African region, the Middle East and that very strong connection with Turkiye, one can tangibly see Avv. Harmanci’s vision for Harmanci & Partners playing out as it intersects through business, law, and diplomacy. That is quite a feat, making collaboration a real privilege and lending itself to promising outcomes.
