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Stability and reform with EU in sight
 On January 1, the most stable government in a decade launched Turkey's most comprehensive programme of reforms to eliminate double-digit inflation and restructure banking, agriculture, and backward state-owned enterprises. Just a few weeks before, at the EU's Helsinki summit, Ankara won the status of full candidate for membership of the European Union ...more
BANKING:
Era of the real thing
For years Turkish bankers have talked about a low-inflation environment. Since the launch in January of a three-year disinflation programme backed by the International Monetary Fund, a brave new world has suddenly become a near-term possibility ...more
EUROPE:
Membership would confirm sense of identity
A reception at the Turkish presidential palace to celebrate Europe Day last month emphasised the strength of Turkey's aspirations to join the European Union. Süleyman Demirel, the outgoing president, volunteered to host the party in lieu of the member states' embassies in Turkey ...more
AGRICULTURE:
Sector set to undergo sweeping reforms
Kees Maris is a Dutch farmer's son who sees his mission as marrying the environment to agriculture in Turkey and anywhere else that will listen.Mavi Deniz, the Turkish company which he joined 11 years ago, has built up a niche market in organic fruit and nuts ...more
PRIVATISATION:
Here to stay this time
The earthquake which killed at least 40,000 people last August also shattered popular faith in the Turkish state. It seems particularly fitting therefore that the government has this year successfully relaunched privatisation, cutting back the economic role of the state ...more
WEALTH AND WELFARE:
Uphill struggle to close income gap with EU
Turkey is large, with a population of some 65m. It is still poor, with a national income per head (at purchasing power parity) a third of the euro-zone's average. Not least, a growing proportion of its population has failed to find an adequate livelihood ...more
ENERGY:
Target is energy security at affordable cost
The overriding goal of Turkish energy policy is to satisfy demand in Europe's fastest-growing energy market.The government has started to set the stage for achieving that end by initiating privatisation of decrepit state-controlled energy generation and distribution ...more
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