ANKARA - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said on Friday that International Monetary Fund (IMF) Turkey Desk Chief Reza Moghadam told him that Turkish economy was on the right track, and that he expressed pleasure over decreasing interest rates and inflation.
Sahin replied questions of reporters after his meeting with Moghadam.
Sahin said Moghadam told him 6.5 percent primary surplus target was reached, and that this was the success of the government, and stated that financial discipline should be abided by and structural reforms should continue.
Stating that they also discussed redundant positions, Sahin said IMF officials told him that they determined there was not much deviation on redundant positions.
Sahin said 45,800 of public personnel were evaluated in redundant positions, adding that there was not a serious deviation in liquidation of them.
Sahin said they conveyed the IMF delegation the process in collective bargaining talks, and noted that they told IMF delegation that there would not be any deviation from the budget, and that they would be careful in abiding by financial discipline, yet that inflation was targeted as 12 percent.
Sahin said situation of Vakifbank was discussed at the meeting, and noted that they would make re-evaluations about privatization.
Sahin said there was no serious problem on 6th Review, noting that, ''the delegation stated that they thought 6th review would be completed in time.''
(AY-AÖ) 03.10.2003