ISTANBUL - Turkey sent its letter of intent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on April 2, 2004, Turkish State Minister Ali Babacan told reporters on Wednesday.
Babacan left for French capital Paris on Wednesday to sign a loan of 200 million euros provided by the Council of Europe Development Bank for small and medium scale enterprises (SMSEs).
''Now, the IMF Board will convene within two weeks. April 16 is a likely date. However, there is not any mutual conformation for the time being.'' Babacan told reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure.
''April 16 is a likely date. It is one of dates indicated unofficially. After the date of the IMF Board meeting becomes certain, the Treasury will make a statement to inform the public opinion,'' he said.
Pointing out that industrial sector was the locomotive of the growth in the year 2003, Babacan said that growth rate in sectors such as tourism, trade, communication and transportation was higher than averages.
Noting that the rate of unemployment was high in Turkey, Babacan said, ''however, the rate of unemployment was about 9 percent in the European-Union (EU)-member countries. It is quite higher in some countries which will become member of the EU in May. For instance, this rate is about 20 percent in Poland.''
Babacan noted that investments would clear the way for Turkey and increase employment.
Referring to his program in France, Babacan said, ''France will host a conference on 'Finance of Development' with the participation of the president of the World Bank, the United Nations secretary general and a number of ministers. Also, we will sign an agreement with the Council of Europe Development Bank. The Council of Europe Development Bank will provide SMSEs with a ten-year loan of 200 million euros. The SMSES were provided with a source of 1 billion U.S. dollars with four separate agreements in a year.''
(UK-AÖ) 07.04.2004