Krueger Says Benefits Of Reforms Started To Be Seen In Turkey

ISTANBUL (AA) - IMF first managing director Anne Krueger said on Wednesday that the benefits of the reforms were started to be seen in Turkey.
     Speaking at 'Forum Istanbul 2005', Krueger said that the Turkish economy grew by nearly 10 percent last year and the inflation rates decreased.
     Noting that Turkey had been very successful in fighting inflation, Krueger stressed that the Central Bank played a significant role in achieving this. ''Central Bank recently started to be more successful in reaching its year-end targets'', she said.
     Krueger said reducing further the country's debt would help cushion the Turkish economy against the damage of rising interest rates in the world. ''The objective now should be to increase the growth rate,'' she added.
     Touching upon tax collection and macro economic instability, Krueger said that ''tax should be collected in a healthy way and tax base should be broadened''. Pointing out to the need of privatization of public assets, Krueger indicated that she welcomed the facilities put in place in Turkey to encourage foreign investors.
     In her speech, Krueger also called for the need to continue and implement the reforms in Turkey.
     (֓-ULG)
2005-05-05