Turkish Inflation Drops Slightly for First Time in 3 Months

Pedestrians walk past a currency exchange shop in the Turkish city of Istanbul. (EPA)
Pedestrians walk past a currency exchange shop in the Turkish city of Istanbul. (EPA)
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Turkish Inflation Drops Slightly for First Time in 3 Months

Pedestrians walk past a currency exchange shop in the Turkish city of Istanbul. (EPA)
Pedestrians walk past a currency exchange shop in the Turkish city of Istanbul. (EPA)

Turkish annual consumer price inflation dropped for the first time in three months to 61.36% in October, data from the Turkish Statistical Institute showed on Friday, as fallout eased from the lira's sharp summer decline, and tax hikes.

Month-on-month, inflation was 3.43%.

The domestic producer price index was up 1.94% month-on-month in October for an annual rise of 39.39%.

The annual inflation rate increased to 61.53% in September and is expected to rise into next year although the central bank raised the interest rate by 2,650 basis points to 35 percent.

Türkiye’s central bank (CBRT) raised its year-end inflation forecasts for this year and next to 65% and 36% respectively, Governor Hafize Gaye Erkan said on Thursday.

The bank's previous inflation report three months ago forecast year-end inflation of 58% in 2023 and 33% next year.

Moreover, the 2025 inflation forecast was lowered from 15 percent to 14 percent.

Erkan told a press conference to present the CBRT's inflation report that disinflation would start after it peaked at around 70%-75% in May.

“We expect that there will be temporary rises in the monthly inflation in November, January, and May owing to several factors that fall outside the scope of the monetary policy,” according to Erkan.

"We will continue to use all our tools decisively until there is a significant improvement in the inflation outlook.”

She added that the bank maintained a 5% medium-term target.

Türkiye will move to inflation-adjusted accounting, but financial institutions may be excluded from the practice, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said.



Saudi Arabia Joins International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy

Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)
Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia Joins International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy

Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)
Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)

The Saudi Energy Ministry announced Saturday that the Kingdom has officially joined the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), as part of its ongoing efforts to foster international collaboration in developing this vital sector.
This accession marks a major step for the Kingdom, reinforcing its pioneering role in global sustainability efforts and in innovating advanced solutions for clean energy, the Ministry said in a statement.
It aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a key producer and exporter of clean hydrogen, and to achieve greenhouse gases (GHGs) net-zero through the circular carbon economy approach by 2060, or before depending on technology maturity and availability, the statement added.
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in IPHE underscores its commitment to international cooperation as a cornerstone for attaining a more sustainable energy future.
The move also supports the objectives of the “Saudi Green Initiative” and “Middle East Green Initiative,” which focus on reducing carbon emissions and stimulating global demand for clean hydrogen, according to the statement.
"It also aims to contribute to the development and harmonization of regulations and standards that bolster the clean hydrogen economy,” it added.
IPHE serves as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration among member states to expedite the advancement and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
The partnership is dedicated to exchanging knowledge, supporting relevant research and technologies, and raising awareness about the importance of clean hydrogen in achieving sustainable development.
In this spirit, Saudi Arabia actively participates in numerous international organizations and initiatives linked to the production of clean and low-emission fuels, including the Innovation Mission Initiative, the Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting, the Zero Neutrality Forum for Producers, the Global Methane Initiative, and other related efforts.