Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANKARA1639
2008-09-12 08:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKISH GDP GROWTH SLOWED SHARPLY IN SECOND QUARTER

Tags:  EFIN ECON TU 
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VZCZCXRO1324
RR RUEHDA
DE RUEHAK #1639 2560813
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 120813Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7447
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 4733
RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 3226
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
UNCLAS ANKARA 001639 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH GDP GROWTH SLOWED SHARPLY IN SECOND QUARTER

UNCLAS ANKARA 001639

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH GDP GROWTH SLOWED SHARPLY IN SECOND QUARTER


1. Summary: TurkStat data released on September 10 showed Turkey's
GDP grew only 1.9% (YOY) in the second quarter, far below market
forecasts of 3.7% and down sharply from 6.7% growth in the first
quarter. While first half growth was still a respectable 4.2%, the
sharp slowdown from quarter to quarter has some market analysts
already lowering their 2008 forecasts to 3.0%. The data showed a
broad-based slowdown in domestic demand and investment, in both the
public and private sectors. Markets reacted negatively, with
Turkish equities falling about 5% on September 10 and 11, and the
Turkish lira depreciating about 3% against the dollar. This data
will add to public pressure on the GOT to move forward on its
economic agenda, but two of the key factors affecting growth for the
rest of year are outside of Turkey's control: the extent of the
slowdown in the Eurozone and the UK (Turkey's major export markets),
and whether foreign banks reduce their FX lending to Turkish
companies. End Summary


2. The Turkish economy grew just 1.9% (YOY) in the second quarter,
the slowest rate of expansion since 2002, and significantly below
the 3.7% consensus market forecast. This is a marked deceleration
from growth in the first quarter, when GDP grew 6.7% (YOY). While
GDP growth in the first half was still a respectable 4.2% YOY, the
sharp quarter-on-quarter slowdown has forced investors and
businesses to review and, in some cases, revise downward their 2008
growth projections, which were at 4.0% before this data was
released. Some analysts already have dropped their forecasts to
3.0%, while those who are sticking to 4.0% say they see downside
risks, particularly from the economic slowdown in the European
Union.


3. Market reaction was sharply negative following the data release
on September 10. Turkish equity markets fell over 5% on September
10 and 11, while the Turkish lira depreciated about 3.0% against the
dollar (the lira also was driven down by negative global
developments).


4. The TurkStat data showed across the board weakness in domestic
demand. Investment growth decreased 6.8% from the first quarter,
while household demand decreased 2.1% and the agriculture sector was
down 3.5%. Cuts in non-interest government expenditures resulted in
a 3.7% contraction in consumption in the second quarter, and a 16.8%
drop in public sector investment expenditures.

5. The data also showed that private sector has scaled back
investment and consumption. Growth in consumption expenditures
dropped from 7.6% in the first quarter to 2.8%, while investment
expenditure growth fell from 14% to just 0.6%. Industrial output
growth of 2.8% YOY was the slowest pace of manufacturing growth
since 2002.


6. Faik Oztrak, a former Treasury undersecretary and now a CHP
deputy, invited the GOT to take immediate measures to avoid a
possible recession and given Turkey's high borrowing needs. Tanil
Kucuk, president of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, urged the GOT
to announce an action plan combined with a new economic program.
Nurattin Ozdemir, President of the Ankara Chamber of Industry said
companies are in a difficult situation due to lack of domestic
demand. Ercan Kumcu, a former Central Bank vice-governor and now a
daily columnist, noted that the GDP slowdown is hard to explain
given other recent economic data, especially trade data (exports
rose 41% in July).


7. Comment: While this data will add to public pressure on the GOT
to move forward on its economic agenda, two of the key factors
affecting growth for the rest of year are outside of Turkey's
control: the extent of the slowdown in the Eurozone and the UK
(Turkey's major export markets),and whether foreign banks,
particularly in Europe, reduce their FX lending to Turkish
companies, which has been a popular source of low-interest finance.


WILSON