Turkey's Economy

Turkey’s Economy

Turkey’s economy grew at a faster pace than anticipated during the last quarter of 2016, since households boosted spending.

Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 3.5% in the October-to-December period, faster than all estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists, which saw an expansion of 1.9%. 

Turkish households and the government boosted spending after July’s attempted military takeover.   Private demand picked up in the final quarter of 2016, fueled by household spending on everything from services to consumption goods.  Based on strengthening consumer sentiment, it will probably increase at similar levels this year, while public spending emerges as an even bigger driver of growth, according to William Jackson, a London-based economist at Capital Economic, "Government consumption could strengthen if fiscal policy is loosened further,” Jackson said, revising up his 2017 growth forecast to 2.5 percent from 1.8 percent previously.  He continued, “The drivers of growth are likely to shift and investment should continue to pick up from last year’s slump.”

The Turkish government adopted a series of expansionary fiscal policies to counter the slowdown, which may add as much as one percentage point to the budget deficit by year-end, according to Finance Minister Mr. Naci Agbal.  Incentives to boost employment and agricultural production, and tax breaks for the tourism industry, were among stimulus measures rolled out.  He said government measures to ease restrictions on household demand usually have an effect with some delay, meaning faster consumption growth in 2017.

It was important for Turkey not to enter a “technical recession,” Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Mehmet Simsek said in a televised interview after the GDP report. The minister said “There’s a moderate recovery in growth in the first quarter of 2017.  The recovery will accelerate from the middle of the second quarter.”

We will wait and see..

Thank you for visiting,

Ben

           

Stephen Harper at a Refugee Camp

Stephen Harper at a Refugee Camp

Prime Minister of Canada Mr Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen toured the 'Za'atri' Refugee Camp in Jordan on Friday, January 24, 2014.

          Young boy at the brefugee camp 

Mr Harper promised $150 million in aid money to the refugees.  He made the following comment, “It’s sometimes easy to forget that these are all individual lives. We are touched by this.”        

I was shocked to read this as I did not believe this man had a 'heart' to give, thank you for surprising many 'world citizens' with this gesture.  

Sincerely, 

Ben

Stephen Harper and Israel

Stephen Harper and Israel 

The Prime Minister of Canada Mr Stephen Harper has stated the following at a 'Negev Dinner' in December of 2013; prior to a visit to Israel, on January 17, 2014.  

“A light of freedom and democracy in what is otherwise a region of darkness.” 

What the Prime Minister is saying is 'Israel' is the 'light' and all other countries in this region are the 'dark' (evil). 

Based on Mr Stephen Harper, the following countries, who are neighbours of 'Israel' are the 'dark'. 

Lebanon,

Egypt,

Irak,

Iran,

Saudi Arabia,

Turkey,

Syria,

Jordan,

Yemen, 

Cyprus, &

Libya.  

I will stop here, at the supposedly the  'dark' countries.  I am sure that Mr Stephen Harper could add another dozen countries to this list. 

I do not believe the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr Stephen Harper should make these 'ignorant' comments.  Also, I do believe he is 'alienating' Canada from the world.    

Sincerely, 

Ben

History and Victory

History and Victory

“History, is written by the victor”

Winston Churchill

So very true quote eh?

Ben here

$5 Canadian Note

$5 Canadian Note

I wrote about the $20 Canadian Note and included pictures of the new / old currency in circulation today in Canada; please look for this article, in my 'history' list, of this blog, as it is titled '$20 Canadian Currency".  

Today, for the first time, I came by a brand new $5 Canadian Note, and I took pictures of this.  I  would like to write about who and/or what is on the front and back of the currency.  

Front side of the note:

There is a well drawn portrait of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who was the Prime Minister of Canada from 1896 to 1911. 

Reverse side of the note:

There is a drawing of Mobile Servicing System (MSS), which is a robotic system and equipment on the International Space Station (ISS).  The 'Arm' moves equipment and supplies around the station, supports astronauts working in space, and services instruments. 

The MSS was designed and manufactured by MDA Space Missions for the Canadian Space Agency, and this is Canada's contribution to the space expeditions. 

Also, remember that the old notes will be taken out of circulation, therefore, put a few away for memory sake. 

Gracia for reading, 

Ben