Turkish private sector's foreign debt at $165.1B in April

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Turkish private sector's foreign debt totaled $165.1 billion as of April, up by $1 billion compared with the end of 2023, the country’s Central Bank figures showed on Wednesday.

Long-term loans hit $154.5 billion as of April, down by $458 million, while short-term loans – excluding trade credits – were at $10.6 billion, up by $1.5 billion from the end of 2023.

Some 58.1% of the total long-term loans were in the US dollar, while 35.6% in euro, 2.2% in Turkish lira and 4.1% in other currencies; and 49.6% of the total short-term loans were in the US dollar, 20.8% in euro, 24.9% in Turkish lira and 4.7% in other currencies.

Financial institutions' share was 37.4% in long-term loans, while 62.6% consists of the liabilities of the non-financial institutions; 75% of short-term loans were received by financial institutions and 25% consists of liabilities of the non-financial institutions.

"Private sector’s total outstanding loans received from abroad based on a remaining maturity basis; point out to principal repayments in the amount of USD 48.9 billion for the next 12 months by the end of April," the bank added.