UNCTAD revises up Türkiye's 2023 growth forecast to 3.7% from 2.6%

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on Wednesday revised up Türkiye's economic growth forecast for this year to 3.7% from 2.6%.

"The country was hit hard by high energy prices in 2022 but retained strong domestic demand throughout the first half of 2023 thanks to strong fiscal support, an effective programme of transfers to households, and a 10-point cut of the policy interest rate," it said in its Trade and Development Report.

"However, while the latter provided stimulus to domestic demand, it placed pressure on the currency," it added, noting that Türkiye's economy is expected to grow 1.9% in 2024.

UNCTAD said it estimates world economic growth slowing from 3% in 2022 to 2.4% in 2023.

The intergovernmental organization within the UN Secretariat, in addition, called for global financial reforms and more pragmatic policies to tackle challenges.

"To safeguard the world economy from future systemic crises, we must avoid the policy mistakes of the past and embrace a positive reform agenda," UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan said in a statement.

"We need a balanced policy mix of fiscal, monetary and supply-side measures to achieve financial sustainability, boost productive investment and create better jobs. Regulation needs to address the deepening asymmetries of the international trading and financial system," she added.

UNCTAD revised up the US' economic growth forecast to 2% this year, from its previous projection of 0.9%.

Euro area's growth estimate, on the other hand, was revised down to 0.4% for 2023, from 0.7%, with the German economy expected to contract 0.6% this year.

China's economy is anticipated to expand 4.6% in 2023, instead of 4.8%, according to the report.