Yashar Vafaei

Yashar Vafaei
Born	(1979-09-21) September 21, 1979 Iran
Alma mater	International Dublin University
Occupation	Economist Entrepreneur Investor Investment consultant
Organization	ECOHOS

Yashar Vafaei (born September 21, 1979) is an Iranian economist, entrepreneur, and investment consultant. He is the founder and president of the commercial enterprise and international group ECOHOS. The group operates in Turkey and the broader Middle East, active in areas such as economic consulting, construction, import-export, laboratory equipment, and the food industry.

He has been residing in Turkey for many years and brings over two decades of experience in economic and industrial projects. With a multidisciplinary approach, he plays a leading role in business development and attracting both domestic and international investment.

Early life and education

Yashar Vafaei was born on September 21, 1979, in Iran. He studied at Beheshti High School, where he built his academic base. He later went to Islamic Azad University in Tabriz and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.

After that, he continued his education abroad and earned a Master’s degree in Social Psychology from International Dublin University. He then completed his Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from the same university. His doctoral studies focused on international cooperation and global decision-making processes.

Vafaei has stated that his academic background in architecture, psychology, and political science has helped shape his multidisciplinary approach to business.

Career

Yashar Vafaei began his business career in Tabriz, where he opened a small shop selling medical and laboratory equipment. He later moved to Tehran in an attempt to expand his operations by opening a larger store, but faced challenges due to limited support for entrepreneurship in Iran. In 2013, he moved to Turkey and resumed his business activities in Izmir, citing economic conditions as a factor in the relocation.

In 2015, he founded ECOHOS Construction, Export, and Import Company, originally focused on the trade and packaging of medical and laboratory devices. The company later expanded its operations to include construction, international trade, export services, and investment consultancy. ECOHOS has worked with clients in various sectors, including real estate, manufacturing, and healthcare.

The company later announced plans to expand internationally and launch a fast-food chain in Turkey featuring organic food products.

Publications

Yashar Vafaei is the author of Don’t Be Afraid – Bankruptcy is the Seed of Success, a business book published in October 2024 by İkinci Adam Yayınları. The book is written in English and has 312 pages. It is aimed at entrepreneurs and business leaders and focuses on how to turn ideas into successful businesses, even during tough times like bankruptcy.

In the book, Vafaei explains different types of business models, including linear and hybrid ones. He also talks about market research, planning for growth, and how to stay strong when facing challenges. The book frames failure as a chance to gain experience and make improvements.

Media coverage and recognition

Yashar Vafaei has been featured in Turkish media for his views on foreign investment and the economy. As the CEO of ECOHOS, he often shares his opinions on Turkey’s business environment and how to attract international investors.

In August 2024, he was quoted by Habertürk, where he said that Turkey’s location and skilled workforce make it “one of the first economies that comes to mind” for foreign investors. He also pointed out that Turkey has attracted over $260 billion in foreign investment in the last 20 years.

His comments were also published in Cumhuriyet, where he explained how ECOHOS helps investors in areas like manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture. According to Vafaei, ECOHOS aims to support initiatives focused on employment and domestic production. He stated that some of the company’s supported projects have contributed to the establishment of new factories and offices, with reported benefits including increased local tax revenues.

In early 2025, he gave another interview to Magazinname, saying that Turkey could become one of the strongest economies in the region. He highlighted government incentives and said sectors like real estate and manufacturing offer big returns for investors.

Besides TV and newspapers, Vafaei shares his thoughts on LinkedIn and X, where he posts about business and economic news. His book, Don’t Be Afraid – Bankruptcy is the Seed of Success, was also distributed through press releases.

Personal life

Yashar Vafaei was born and raised in Iran. He relocated to Turkey in 2008 and has been based there since, where he established his business career. He married Neda Cheraghimogahi in 2012, and the couple has one child.

Vafaei is fluent in Persian and English, and after residing in Turkey for over a decade, he also speaks Turkish. He has participated in interviews and public discussions in all three languages.

Community Involvement and Public Statements

In media interviews, Vafaei has expressed interest in contributing to social initiatives through his work. He has announced plans to support projects such as affordable housing for low-income families and job programs for unemployed youth in Turkey.

He has shared his views on business growth, often highlighting the value of hard work, learning, and staying flexible. He often shares advice with young entrepreneurs and supports others who want to start their own businesses.

Bibliography

Books

• Yashar Vafaei (15 October 2024). Don’t Be Afraid – Bankruptcy is the Seed of Success. İkinci Adam Yayınları. ISBN 9786253734305. Available on Google Books.

Academic Publications

• Vafaei-Zadeh, Ali; Hanifah, Haniruzila; Foroughi, Behzad; Salamzadeh, Yashar (2019). "Knowledge leakage, an Achilles' heel of knowledge sharing". Eurasian Business Review, 9(4), 445–461. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/s40821-019-00128-7.
• Vafaei, Yashar (2024). "The Institutions Driving Globalization in the World and Global Inflation". Academia.edu. Vol 1, Issue 1, p. 8.
• Vafaei, Yashar (2024). "The Meaning of Economic Growth and Its Role in Development". Academia.edu. Vol 1, Issue 1, p. 10.

Media Features & Interviews

• Cumhuriyet (25 Nov 2024). "Yashar Vafaei, Don’t Be Afraid kitabını yayınladı". Cumhuriyet Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
• Habertürk (6 Aug 2024). "Türkiye, yabancı yatırımcılar için akla ilk gelen ekonomilerden biri oluyor". Habertürk. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
• Dünya (8 Jul 2024). "Türkiye son 20 yılda 261 milyar dolar yatırım çekti". Dünya Gazetesi. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
• Milli Gazete (12 Jun 2024). "Yashar Vafaei Mamaghani Türkiye'deki yatırımlarına devam ediyor". Milli Gazete. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
• Halk TV (9 Aug 2024). "Türkiye son 20 yılda 261 milyar dolar yatırım çekti". HalkTV Ekonomi. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
• Street Insider (6 Nov 2024). "Yashar Vafaei’s 'Don't Be Afraid' Highlights the Power of Strategic Investment". Street Insider. Retrieved 2024-11-07.