- ANKARA: A top Turkish government official says the country's economic growth will likely slow down to 4 percent this year from about 7.5 percent last year, but insists the outlook is positive.
Ali Babacan, one of four deputy prime ministers, said the government might adjust its forecast for growth of 4 percent depending on developments in Europe.
He said the economy is expected to have grown by more than 7.5 percent in 2011.
Babacan says the rise in inflation, which hit a double-digit figure in December, was temporary.
Turkey's statistic institute said consumer prices rose 10.45 percent in the year to December.
Producer prices grew 13.33 percent.
Babacan says a 5 percent annual inflation target for 2011 is still achievable.
Turkey's inflation in 2010 stood at 6.4 percent.