Minister Şimşek reveals the 'formula' for when citizens can buy homes: Once inflation reaches that point...

Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek attended the "Southeast Table Istanbul Meeting" program held at a hotel in Bahçelievler.

SUPPORT FOR MURAT KURUM

Stating that Kurum would make a big difference in Istanbul, Şimşek said that the most important problems in Istanbul, such as transportation, housing shortages, and disaster risks, would be solved by the AKP and the People's Alliance's Metropolitan Municipality mayoral candidate.

Explaining that they have made significant investments in Istanbul's infrastructure as a government, Şimşek stated that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has contributed to the solution of the transportation problem with the projects it has implemented and will continue to solve this problem in the future.

Noting that 1 million 319 thousand social housing units were built during the AKP governments, Şimşek stated that Murat Kurum is a chance for Istanbul and that he will carry out urban transformation in the best way with his experience.

CALLED MURAT KURUM "AN EXPERT IN HIS FIELD"

Minister Şimşek emphasized that the AK Party's local government vision includes "real municipalism" and noted the following:

"We are people-oriented; our purpose in municipalism is the politics of service and works. We know that development starts locally. Our understanding of municipalism includes keeping promises. We are such a team. We are talking about a participatory, inclusive, and accountable municipalism. Together, we will carry Istanbul to a much more advanced point. Because in this age, countries no longer compete alone; they compete with provinces, cities, and metropolises. Who can make Istanbul more competitive? Of course, our brother Murat. Because he is an expert in this field. Because he has this background and experience."

"WE DID NOT DISCRIMINATE"

Mehmet Şimşek emphasized that the opposition has no excuses because they send money and resources from Ankara in a fair and rule-based manner.

Reporting that the most money and resources went to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) in 2023, Şimşek continued as follows:

"It went to Ankara, it went to Izmir. All three are municipalities in the hands of the main opposition. Look, in the top 10, there is Antalya, there is Mersin, there is Adana. As you can see, all 6 of these provinces are in the hands of the opposition. We did not discriminate. There is no discrimination in our book. We sent money from the budget to the municipalities in a rule-based, formula-based, and fair manner. If there is no service, then the problem is elsewhere. Therefore, we are very clearly transferring strong resources to local governments. Why? We transfer it to serve our fellow citizens there, we transfer it for works, we transfer it for investment. It is very valuable that these resources are used correctly."

Pointing out that they have increased resources to local governments more than a hundredfold during the AK Party governments, Şimşek stated that the opposition cannot have any excuses in this regard.

Pointing out that cities should be smart, environmentally friendly, resilient, and competitive, Şimşek stated that all of these are included in the AK Party's election manifesto.

"WHEN INFLATION DROPS TO SINGLE DIGITS..."

Treasury and Finance Minister Şimşek stated that great progress has been made in every field in the last 20 years under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and reminded that they are aware of the economic problems and announced a comprehensive program last September to solve them.

Stating that they will solve the problems fundamentally, Şimşek noted the following:

"Because we know the problems of our tradesmen, our retirees, our workers, and our minimum wage earners. We solved these problems in the past and developed Turkey rapidly. We improved its infrastructure, invested in its education, invested in its health, and grew our economy. In recent years, inflation has been a significant problem both in the world and in Turkey. With the program we have put forward, we will bring inflation back down to single digits. When we bring inflation down to single digits, you will be able to buy a home much more comfortably. Because you will be able to get a housing loan. Before the AK Party governments, housing loans were almost non-existent. When we brought it down to single digits, access to credit increased."

Emphasizing that they will bring inflation back down to single digits, Şimşek said, "Because we want our resources to go to investment and service instead of interest. Yes, we have a process ahead of us that is certainly not easy. But we will implement our program with patience, and this program will be successful. Thanks to this program, there will be an opportunity to solve our problems. The program is really working."

"WE ARE IN A DIFFICULT PERIOD BUT WE WILL SUCCEED"

Pointing to the Medium-Term Program covering the 2024-2026 period, Minister Şimşek said, "The program was announced in September. The program is working. We will meet the targets in growth, unemployment rate, inflation, and budget deficit in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Now, what is our goal? Our goal is the welfare of our society, our nation. For this, we are in a difficult period along with the world, but we will succeed. Trust us."

Talking about the reforms the AKP has implemented in the economy since 2003, Şimşek asked the participants for their support for the People's Alliance's Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality mayoral candidate, Murat Kurum.

News Source: 12punto