m.m.f
Forumer storico
Turkey - International Reserves
Current account records small deficit in January
The current account balance recorded a USD 0.8 billion deficit in January, smaller than December’s revised USD 1.5 billion deficit (previously reported: USD 1.4 billion deficit) and down markedly from the USD 7.0 billion deficit recorded in the same month a year prior. The current account position has strengthened markedly since the middle of last year due to tepid domestic demand and a weaker currency.
January’s deficit was underpinned by a trade deficit in goods, which more than offset a trade surplus in services thanks to a solid tourism sector. However, the goods deficit was down markedly year-on-year, as the weak labor market, pessimistic consumer sentiment and general limp economic activity hampered import demand.
On the financing front, there were USD 6.1 billion of net inflows in January, thanks largely due to external borrowing by banks and the government, and non-residents’ purchases in the stock market. This enabled the Central Bank to accumulate USD 3.5 billion in foreign reserves, and continue rebuilding external buffers which were depleted over the course of 2018.
Turkey is expected to record the smallest current account deficit in a decade this year due to suppressed domestic demand and the weak lira supporting exports. FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists see the current account deficit at 2.0% of GDP in 2019 and 2.9% of GDP in 2020
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
International Reserves (USD) 111 107 92.9 92.1 84.2
