Simsek: "In the absence of global economic crisis, Turkey can reach its targets"

Though Turkey has been affected by the recent global economic crisis, it is weathering it relatively well, said State Minister Mehmet Simsek yesterday. Addressing a meeting in Ankara organized by the Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD), Simsek said that the crisis in the US hasn't ended but is in fact deepening, and is being accompanied by rising oil and natural gas prices and world banks facing some $400 billion in losses. But despite these developments, Turkey is continuing its structural reforms, he said, adding that in the absence of a global crisis, Turkey can reach its economic targets.