NEW YORK - Turkish state minister said on Wednesday when the world has been passing through a difficult period, Turkey has showed a great tolerance and flexibility so far.
State Minister Mehmet Simsek delivered a speech at a symposium titled "Global Investment" organized by the International Economic Alliance in New York.
Turkey attached a great importance to foreign investments which boosted employment rate and competition power, he said.
"We have a powerful government and it is determined to fulfill reforms. Turkey is passing through a transformation process. Our country is a promising one," Simsek said.
Replying to a question, Simsek said, "Turkey attracted foreign investment of nearly 22 billion USD last year. The figure is expected to become 15 billion USD this year."
"Turkey attached a great importance to its EU bid. We will speed up fulfillment of reforms," he said.
Regarding the recent situation with IMF, Simsek said that meetings were continuing on technical level. Simsek said that on current stage Turkey did not need IMF, adding that Turkey was preserving its fiscal discipline.
Simsek said that despite the slow down in economy, Turkey`s budget performance was very good in the first eight months of the year.
Regarding inflation, Simsek said that the world and Turkey were face to face with a big shock. He added that Central Bank was pursuing a discreet monetary policy. Simsek said that Turkey was continuing to fulfill reforms, maintain the fiscal discipline and apply discreet monetary policies.
Referring to his talks in Paris, Simsek said that he had very fruitful meetings with French minister as well as investors. He said that they held meetings with at least 40-50 of the biggest 100 companies of France, adding that investors had a big interest towards Turkey.
Simsek recalled that he addressed to sector representatives who considered to make direct and long-term investment in Turkey.
(GC-EÖ)
(ECO)