Will the economic crisis deepen? Minister Şimşek's statement on highways, ports, and HPPs

Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek answered questions at the TBMM Planning and Budget Committee, where he presented his ministry's 2024 budget. Opposition deputies reacted sharply to Şimşek, who stated that they would not include any new public institutions for privatization beyond those already in the program. The deputies responded to Şimşek by saying, "What is left that you haven't sold? You have sold everything that was in our hands."

THE BOSPHORUS BRIDGE IS ALSO ON THE LIST!

The bridges and highways that Şimşek said would be privatized include transportation networks such as the Istanbul-Ankara highway and the Bosphorus Bridge, which were built with public funds and currently apply much cheaper tariffs compared to those operated by the private sector. If privatized, the prices of these roads and bridges are expected to increase significantly.

WE DID NOT ASK FOR MONEY

Minister Şimşek also responded to the criticisms from opposition deputies who claimed, "You are going door-to-door begging for money from Arab countries."

He stated that he has visited many countries to date, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Germany, France, and the UK, but that he only explained the economic program they are implementing during these visits. Expressing that he did not go door-to-door asking anyone for money, Şimşek noted that he was invited to most of these meetings as a speaker.

While stating that they are determined to reduce inflation, Şimşek reported that the measures they have taken today will yield results after 18 months, and that although there is a decline in monthly inflation, the decline in annual inflation will take until the middle of next year.