On 18 August 2022, the Turkish Central Bank (CBTR) cut its benchmark interest rate from 14 percent to 13 percent. It was the first rate reduction since 2021, when the CBTR cut its policy rate four times. The decision came as a surprise to many analysts, who noted the fact that most central banks have recently raised interest rates to curb rising inflation amid disruptions in global supply chains caused by the pandemic and Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
The official justification given by the CBRT is to maintain GDP growth momentum by stimulating the domestic market and supporting export-oriented sectors. What did not feature in the official press release was a pledge to confront rampant inflation. Given current socio-economic conditions in Turkey and conflicts in the international arena, this is a risk-prone policy move that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the CBRT are apparently willing to take for political reasons.
Immediate Consequences
The reaction of capital markets was immediate and accelerated a trend already vibrant during the past year. The Turkish lira (TL) declined vis-à-vis the US dollar, again …read more
Source:: German Institute for International and Security Affairs