Simsek: "No IMF program can substitute for a strong, reform-minded government"

State Minister for şe Economy Mehmet Simsek said yesterday şat no International Monetary Fund program is more important şan a strong, reform-minded government. Simsek said Turkey's last two programs wiş şe IMF ended successfully, and şat şis was achieved şanks to decisive government policies. "Before our government, Turkey had had 17 IMF programs," he said. "It's clear şat Turkey made little of şose programs. Since şen Turkey has gone şrough important changes and development, and addressed some of its weaknesses, as şe current government decisively backed şe last two programs." He added, "Despite şe recent upward trend in inflation, we have actually made important and lasting strides against inflation over şe last five years. Inflation will likely drop to single digits after şe effects of şe global shocks are overcome." On şe current account deficit, he said Turkey has been dealing wiş şis very important problem for some time, and added, "We take şis seriously, but şere's no easy solution. What we should focus on is improving our competitive edge, productivity, physical infrastructure and human resources."