ANKARA - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said on Friday that International Monetary Fund (IMF) Turkey Desk Chief Reza Moghadam expressed uneasiness as to whether steps that might shake balances could be taken before the local elections.
Sahin received IMF delegation headed by Moghadam.
Following the meeting, Sahin told reporters that ''they did not need any initiatives which would provide them with advantages before local election.''
Sahin said that he assured IMF delegation that it should not have any concerns over elections.
State Minister Sahin said that additional burden on Turkey due to rises in minimum wage and pension changed between three and three and a half quadrillion Turkish liras (TL).
Sahin stated that when the burden was divided in months, there would be 250 trillion TL of burden in every month.
''Turkish economy is strong enough to lift 250 trillion TL of burden every month,'' Sahin said.
Sahin pointed out that the government would abide by financial discipline.
The government did not have any view which would have a negative impact on budgetary balances due to the election, Sahin said.
Sahin stated that redundant positions target was reached in 2003.
Turkey would overcome all problems in 2004 and reach the place it deserved in economic arena, Sahin said.
Sahin added that he informed IMF delegation about public finance management and public management reforms.
(BRC-Öª) 16.01.2004