Erdoğan urges AKP officials ‘not to talk negatively about the economy’

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has criticized certain ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) members for “speaking negatively about the economic situation in Turkey.”

“It has saddened us to hear some of our friends among us being so wrong, giving statements indicating that the economic situation in Turkey is problematic and doing so in public meetings,” Erdoğan said at a meeting of party provincial heads in Ankara on March 30.

“There is such a big success story to tell. We reached 11.2 percent [GDP growth] in the third quarter [of 2017] and are speaking about 7 percent or 7.5 percent growth [for 2017]. But they are still talking about such negative things,” he added.

His comments came after the Turkish Statistical Institution (TÜİK) has announced the country’s 2017 growth rate as 7.4 percent, marking the fastest expansion in four years with robust growth in industry, services and construction.

“Our growth rate - which we have achieved despite all the lies intended to spook investors and the ongoing talk about a crisis - has given great morale to our society,” Erdoğan said.

“If my friends, who are supposed to give the message of this country’s psychological advantage to international audiences, make such mistakes then there isn’t anything to forgive here,” he added.

The Turkish Lira hit lows of over 4 against the U.S. dollar earlier this week, sparking concern over the economic situation in Turkey amid continually high inflation. However, Erdoğan took aim at “those trying to use exchange rates as a bogeyman to confuse our people.”

Stating that Turkey needs further investments, he added that Turkey’s doors “are always open” to international investors.

“Don’t worry, we are providing all kinds of incentives in high-tech and employment,” Erdoğan said.

“I am also calling on my nation, our businesspeople, and the market: Please trust Turkey,” he added.