Since mid-2018, Turkey has faced mounting financial woes, with the lira devaluating after several rounds of interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve and amid the heightened geostrategic tensions with its NATO allies.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Turks to convert their foreign currency to Turkish lira, asking them to “leave the dollar”.
“Leave the dollar and the rest. Let’s turn to our money, the Turkish lira. The Turkish lira doesn’t lose value anymore. Let’s show our patriotism like this,” Erdogan said.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan also added that Turkey plans to have its own locally made fighter jet ready in 5-6 years.
In 2019 lira has dropped another 10 percent, as the Turkish government has delayed key economic reforms amid the rising political tensions within the country.
Last year, Turkish national currency collapsed amid geopolitical tensions and deteriorating relations with the United States.
In mid-September last year, the central bank raised its key rate by 625 basis points to 24 percent per annum, which helped strengthen the Turkish lira.
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