ISTANBUL - State Minister Ali Babacan said on Wednesday that recent comments on relations with International Monetary Fund (IMF) did not reflect facts and added, ''economic program will be continued without loosening.''
Speaking in Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) meeting, Babacan said that every part of the society was pleased with the good course of economic figures but the real thing was to make that course permanent.
Babacan noted that the government would continue determined reform process, firm finance policy and be loyal to economic program.
Inflation rate would be reduced to one-digit figure soon, Babacan stated.
Babacan pointed out that they were determined to reach 5 percent of growth rate and 6.5 percent of primary surplus in 2003 and they recorded positive signs in industry.
Economy would be based on a stronger ground with new legal arrangements, Babacan said.
Babacan emphasized that growth was an indispensable target to reach the ideal stage in economy.
Atmosphere of confidence which had been built in Turkey would never be deteriorated and there would not be any new disappointments, Babacan said.
Referring to Turkey's internal and external debts, Babacan said that determined and rationalistic practices in debt management would reduce the rate of debt stock to gross national product (GNP).
Touching on relations with IMF, Babacan said that final target of Turkey and IMF was to make Turkey a country sufficient for itself.
When they reached that target, neither Turkey would need IMF nor IMF would have to stay in Turkey, Babacan stated.
Babacan noted that the government aimed to maintain the economic program without any deviation and achieve a stable Turkey target as soon as possible.
Hesitations about the fifth review were irrelevant, Babacan said.
Babacan noted that parliament continued its work and that structural reforms would continue also in July.
(BRC-AÖ) 25.06.2003