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Turk inflation revision to affect econ plan-sources

Wed Jun 4, 2008 2:48pm IST
 
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ANKARA, June 4 (Reuters) - The Central Bank's sharp upward revision of inflation targets will affect Turkey's medium-term economic programme which is set to be announced in the coming days, senior government sources told Reuters on Wednesday.

Turkey raised its inflation targets for the next three years on Tuesday after data showed consumer inflation in May jumped into double digits for the first time in more than a year.

The bank proposed raising next year's end-year inflation target to 7.5 percent, from the current 4 percent. It also proposed targets of 6.5 and 5.5 percent for 2010 and 2011.

The medium-term economic plan, covering the years 2009-2011, is expected to be approved by the cabinet next week and then sent to the High Planning Board for approval.

"The medium-term programme will be shaped according to the new figures. Primarily the gross domestic product figures will change," said one senior government source, who declined to be named.

Economy Minister Mehmet Simsek said on Tuesday evening: "the updated inflation targets...will help shape inflation expectations in line with the targeted inflation levels."

Early last month Turkey cut its primary surplus target to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) from a previous 4.2 percent under Medium-Term Fiscal Framework covering the years 2008-2012.

Another senior government source, who also asked not to be named, said the ratios within this framework would remain the same but the absolute figures would change.

"Other economic indicators are determined in line with policies aimed at achieving price stability," the source said. (Reporting by Hatice Aydogdu and Orhan Coskun, writing by Daren Butler; editing by Keith Weir)

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