US-based apparel retailer Gap Inc. has signed franchise agreements with retailers in Saudi Arabia and Turkey to introduce the Gap and Banana Republic brands into these new markets. Over the next five years, Gap’s franchise partners—Fawaz Alhokair Group in Saudi Arabia and Fiba Holding A.S. in Turkey—plan to open a combined total of approximately 90 Gap stores and 20 Banana Republic stores throughout the two countries.

The first Gap stores will open by the end of this year, and the first Banana Republic stores are expected to open by spring 2008, with all stores expected to be open by 2012.