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TURKEY-ECONOMY-INFLATION
Turkey annual inflation surges over 25 percent in October
ISTANBUL, Nov 5, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The annual inflation rate in Turkey rose
above 25 percent in October, official statistics showed on Monday.
The 25.24 percent inflation rate marked a 0.72 percent increase compared
to 24.52 percent in September.
The worst affected sectors included furnishing and household goods with
37.92 percent, according to the Turkish statistics office (TUIK).
The Turkish economy has been weakened by the dramatic fall of the lira
against a backdrop of market mistrust toward President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
economic policies as well as tensions between Ankara and Washington.
There was a reprieve for the lira last month when the central bank
increased its main policy rate — the one week repo auction rate — from
17.75 percent to 24 percent.
Jason Tuvey, emerging markets economist at London-based Capital Economics,
said the “stronger-than-expected” October rise was unlikely to prompt further
rate hikes.
“The central bank is unlikely to follow up September’s aggressive interest
rate hike with additional tightening,” Tuvey said.
Economists have been concerned over domestic monetary policy in Turkey as
Erdogan slams high interest rates, going against economic orthodoxy to claim
they cause high inflation.
He also previously said high interest rates were the “mother and father of
all evil”.
BSS/AFP/HR/1425