Newsletter Turkey September 2017
Economy
Overview of Monthly Data
Growth Rates
Inflation
Inflation continues to decelerate
In July 2017, consumer prices in Turkey increased by 0.15% in comparison to the previous month, and by 9.79% over the same month of the previous year (YOY). Accordingly, the increase in CPI-YOY continued its downward trend and fell again to a single-digit level. The highest monthly increases were registered in hotels, cafes and restaurants (1.75%), recreation and culture (1.36%), and transportation (1.13%). Monthly decreases took place in clothing and footwear (-3.51%), and food and non-alcoholic beverages (-0.71%). The highest annual increase was observed in transportation (15.24%). The domestic producer price index (D-PPI), on the other hand, accelerated compared to June, increasing by 0.72%, and 15.45% YOY. Aug. 3, 2017
10.2% unemployed in May
In May 2017, 3.2 million people in Turkey aged 15 and older were officially out of work, 330,000 more than in the same month of 2016. The unemployment rate was 10.2% with a 0.8-point increase YOY. The youth unemployment rate in the 15-24 age bracket increased to 19.8%. The labour force participation rate rose to 53.0% in total, and to 33.9% for females. Of those with employment in this period, 54.0% were employed in the services sector, 18.9% in industry, 19.6% in agriculture, and 7.5% in construction. Aug. 15, 2017
Foreign trade deficit decreases by 9.1% in June
In June 2017, Turkey’s exports increased by 2.3%, while imports decreased by 1.5%, YOY. With exports increasing to USD 13.2 bn and imports decreasing to USD 19.2 bn, the trade deficit narrowed by 9.1%, down to USD 6.0 bn. The main partner for exports continued to be Germany (USD 1.3 bn), followed by the UAE (USD 896 mn), the USA (USD 886 mn), and the UK (USD 808 mn), whereas the country most of Turkey’s imports came from remained China (USD 1.9 bn), ahead of Germany (USD 1.6 bn), Russia (USD 1.4 bn), and the USA (USD 1.0 bn). July 31, 2017
Central Bank keeps policy rate stable
The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey has left the overnight lending rate at 9.25%, the one-week repo rate (policy rate) at 8.0%, and the late liquidity window lending rate at 12.25%. The bank reported an ongoing recovery in the economic activity and the domestic demand, stating that the demand from the EU countries continues to support Turkish exports. Due to the high level of inflation, which creates a risk on pricing behaviours, the bank has decided to maintain its tight monetary policy. July 27, 2017
Politics
Political relations between Turkey and Germany deteriorate further
Turkey has issued a note to Germany demanding the extradition of Adil Öksüz, allegedly a leading member of the Fethullah Terror Organisation (FETÖ). German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on the other hand, stated that updating the customs union with Turkey is preliminarily out of question due to the recent developments. As a reaction, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on Turks eligible to vote in Germany not to support three of the German parties –Christian Democrats, SPD and the Greens– in the upcoming general elections, labelling them “enemies of Turkey”. Sigmar Gabriel, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, said he believes Turkey will never become a member of the EU as long as Erdoğan remains in power. Two German citizens have been taken into custody in Antalya Airport due to an alleged connection to FETÖ; one of whom was released later on. Berlin rejected Ankara’s request to freeze assets of alleged FETÖ members . Merkel stated that in October the EU will discuss whether to halt or abandon the accession negotiations with Turkey. Gabriel announced that Berlin has suspended arms deliveries to Turkey. Aug. 16-Sep. 12, 2017
Other topics
Australian infrastructure fund manager IFM Investors has signed an agreement with Turkish Akfen Holding for the transfer of 40% shares in Mersin International Port (MIP) for USD 869 mn.
Accordingly, 90% of the MIP shares are now owned by foreign companies as Singaporean PSA Group already holds a 50% stake. MIP is one of the most important commercial ports in the Eastern Mediterranean Region with 2.6 mn TEU of container and 9 mn tons of conventional cargo handling capacity. Aug. 1, 2017
The Siemens-Türkerler-Kalyon consortium has won a 1,000 MW wind energy licence tender by submitting the lowest offer with 0.0348 USD/kWh.
According to the project, the consortium will make a USD 1 bn investment to build and operate wind power plants in five different regions of Turkey. 35% of the investment volume will be the value of the plant and equipment to be supplied by Siemens. 3 bn kWh annually will be generated when all power plants are in operation. Aug. 4, 2017
Abraaj Group, headquartered in Dubai, has become a partner of the leading Turkish logistics company Netlog.
Abraaj Group has already invested USD 1 bn for several projects in Turkey, including Acıbadem Hospitals, Acıbadem Insurance, e-trade company Hepsiburada, and Fibabank. Omar Syed, partner of Abraaj Group, stated that they are aiming to make Netlog a large logistics company in the international market, and that they will make further investments in logistics, healthcare, retail, and FinTech industries in Turkey. Aug. 4, 2017
Two new plants of Anadolu Group in the province of Isparta have been inaugurated with the attendance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
One of the plants is a beverage bottling plant established with an investment of TRY 110 mn in a partnership with Coca Cola, making it their tenth plant in Turkey. The other plant is a fruit juice concentrate plant established with an investment of TRY 125 mn in a partnership with the leading Brazilian orange supplier Cutrale as their third plant investment in the country. The plant will be capable of processing 100 million tons of fruits per year. Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca Cola Company, stated that Turkey is an important management base for the worldwide operations of Coca Cola, which provides direct and indirect employment for 30,000 people in the country. Aug. 12-14, 2017
Sika Yapı Kimyasalları, a subsidiary of the Swiss construction chemicals and industrial adhesives company Sika, has acquired Turkish sealant and adhesives manufacturer ABC Kimya.
Ivo Schädler, Sika Regional Manager EMEA, stated that the acquisition provides them with a solid production platform to expand the sealant and adhesive business in Turkey and the MEA region. Sika has been active in Turkey for 25 years, operates two manufacturing facilities in Istanbul and Mersin, and employs more than 200 people. Aug. 23-24, 2017
Pharmaceuticals giant Allergan, headquartered in Ireland, has announced that it will make a TRY 100 mn investment in Turkey to manufacture ophthalmology (eye care) products in a partnership with leading Turkish pharmaceuticals manufacturer Abdi İbrahim.
The production will be carried out in a new facility to be established at the production campus of Abdi İbrahim in Esenyurt, Istanbul. The first products will be accessible in the market in 2019. Marc Princen, Allergan Executive Vice President and President of International Business, stated that Turkey will be the fourth country where Allergan carries out sterile production, and the annual production capacity of the new plant will be 50 million flacons and 9 million bottles. Allergan has been active in the Turkish market since the 1990s and employs almost 200 people. Aug. 25, 2017
Austrian chemicals and heavy industry company Greiner has completely absorbed Turkish dairy product packaging manufacturer Teknik Plastik ve Teknik IML.
Greiner had already acquired 51% shares of Teknik Plastik ve Teknik IML in 2015 as well as all shares of TGM1 Ambalaj, a subsidiary of the same group in June 2017. The customers of Teknik Plastik and Teknik IML include Danone, Nestlé and Ülker. Greiner Packaging CEO Manfred Stanek stated that they believe in the Turkish market and, having positioned the company well, both geographically and organisationally, in the past two years in order to serve the markets in the Middle East and North Africa, they will continue to invest in the site. Aug. 25, 2017
