Economic Growth Rate left behind the expectations...

The growth rate for the first quarter of 2017 was announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute and our country's economy grew by 5% in the first quarter. The expectation of economists and markets was that growth would be around 3.5%. I would like to emphasize that it is very pleasing and hopeful that the first quarter growth rate is realized by 5% as above expectations.

Net Export's Contribution to Growth 2,2%

Last year, net export made a negative contribution to the growth. In the first quarter of 2017, we see net export is making positive contibutions to the growth by the rate of 2.2%. In 2017 which is announced as breakthrough year in exports, positive contribution to the growth of net exports is of course extremely important for our country.

I believe that international institutions can revise up their year-end forecasts upward as investments' positive contibution to the growth along with the data of 5%.

The projected growth for the year 2017 in the Midterm Program is 4.4%. But; I am convinced that we will reach our Midterm Program's target growth rate and we can leave behind our target of 4.4% with the increases achieved in the investment, export, production and employment figures as a result of the reforms implemented and the support provided this year.