Growth Rate Above Expectations In 2006, Sener

ANKARA - The growth rate was above the expectations in 2006, said Turkish State Minister & Deputy PM Abdullatif Sener.
Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting in Ankara, Sener noted, "we have seen that the national income has grown about 7.3 percent p.a. in the last four years (2002-2006)."
"The gross domestic product (GDP) was up 6.1 percent, and the gross national product (GNP) was up 6 percent (in 2006). The naitonal income reached about 400 billion USD at the end of 2006, and the national income per capita was around 5,477 USD," he stated.
On the other hand, Sener recalled that United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared 2007 as the "International Rumi Year".
Sener added that Mevlana Jalal ud-din Rumi (great spiritual leader of Islam`s Sufi order), will be promoted not only in Turkey but also abroad with exhibitions, panel discussions, books, operas, ballets, theater plays, and films this year.

-TMSF IS AN INDEPENDENT INSTITUTION-
"TMSF (Savings Deposit Insurance Fund) is an independent institution. Therefore, it makes its decisions freely and does what is necessary," Sener commented on seizure of the management of Bilgin and Merkez Group media organs (Sabah and ATV) by the TMSF.