Türkiye Anticipates Surge in Foreign Investments Post-Election

Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek. (The minister’s account on X)
Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek. (The minister’s account on X)
TT
20

Türkiye Anticipates Surge in Foreign Investments Post-Election

Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek. (The minister’s account on X)
Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek. (The minister’s account on X)

Türkiye expects a substantial increase in international investments, notably in mergers and acquisitions, after the upcoming March 31 elections.
Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek has anticipated a substantial surge in foreign investments and capital flow into the country in the aftermath of the upcoming local elections, slated for March 31.
Asserting that Türkiye currently stands near the lowest volatility range of exchange rates among developing nations, Simsek underscored on Saturday in statements to the press the importance of maintaining macroeconomic stability, particularly price stability, as a key strategy to bolster long-term growth potential.
Between June and September, Türkiye witnessed a favorable shift in capital flows, recording an inflow of $4.9 billion, a stark contrast to the flow of $2.9 billion during the initial five months of the year.
The public and private sectors have remarkably enhanced access to global market financing.
Furthermore, the Turkish bond index has exhibited a robust performance compared to other developing nations.
Simsek also brought to light that Türkiye’s foreign currency reserve accumulation peaked at $98.5 billion in May, marking an increase of approximately $36 billion.
This signifies the highest reserve level since 2014, which stood at $134.5 billion. The demand for Turkish Lira loans continues to be high, despite the limited requests for foreign currency loans.
Simsek expressed his belief that the demand for Turkish assets will notably grow in the upcoming months, especially post-election.
In addition to this, the minister unveiled plans to partially finance reconstruction efforts in regions impacted by the February 6 earthquake. This will be achieved through the issuance of long-term special bonds with a 10-year maturity, priced within standard market rates.
Simsek rounded off the discussion by addressing the reevaluation of tax exemptions for corporate deposits protected from exchange rate fluctuations, which are set to expire on June 30, 2024.
He also touched upon the ongoing normalization of monetary policy, which could potentially eliminate the need for such incentives.



Oil Bounces as Ukraine Ceasefire Deal Remains Elusive 

An oil tank and an oil pumpjack are pictured in the Permian basin, Loco Hills regions, New Mexico, US, April 6, 2023. (Reuters)
An oil tank and an oil pumpjack are pictured in the Permian basin, Loco Hills regions, New Mexico, US, April 6, 2023. (Reuters)
TT
20

Oil Bounces as Ukraine Ceasefire Deal Remains Elusive 

An oil tank and an oil pumpjack are pictured in the Permian basin, Loco Hills regions, New Mexico, US, April 6, 2023. (Reuters)
An oil tank and an oil pumpjack are pictured in the Permian basin, Loco Hills regions, New Mexico, US, April 6, 2023. (Reuters)

Oil prices rebounded on Friday to recover some of their more than 1% losses in the previous session, partly due to diminishing prospects of a quick end to the Ukraine war that could bring back more Russian energy supplies.

Brent crude futures rose 46 cents, or 0.7%, to $70.34 a barrel by 0406 GMT after settling 1.5% lower in the previous session. US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $67.03 a barrel, up 48 cents, or 0.7%, after closing down 1.7% on Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow supported a US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine in principle, but sought a number of clarifications and conditions that appeared to rule out a quick end to the fighting.

"Russia's tepid support of a 30-day ceasefire proposal with Ukraine has reduced confidence around a ceasefire in the short term," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said.

"The feeling is that US won't lift sanctions until they agree a ceasefire."

However, the global trade war that has roiled financial markets and raised recession fears is escalating with US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatening to slap a 200% tariff on alcohol imports from Europe.

The International Energy Agency warned on Thursday that global oil supply could exceed demand by around 600,000 barrels per day this year, due to growth led by the United States and weaker than expected global demand.

"The macroeconomic conditions that underpin our oil demand projections deteriorated over the past month as trade tensions escalated between the US and several other countries," the IEA said, prompting it to revise down its demand growth estimates for the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.

The Trump-driven trade war woes and demand worries dented oil prices on the previous day, though the possibility of less Russian oil in the global markets in the near term provided some cushion during Friday's trade.

"Most price projections were to the downside in the short term, but geopolitical tension could still cause supply disruptions," ANZ analysts said in a note to clients.