Turkey's manufacturing activity rises to 13-month high: Index

Turkey's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) reached its highest level last month since November 2014, rising to 52.2 due to a sharp rise in new manufacturing and export orders, the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (?SO) said in a written statement. 

The Istanbul PMI data also rose to 51 in December 2015, indicating an end to a 12-month contraction in the manufacturing sector, according to data that was prepared by Markit for the association. 

A reading above 50 points indicates an expansion in activity on a monthly basis, while one below that points to a contraction.

While the PMI was 50.9 in November 2015, the figure rose to 52.2 last month amid signs of recovery in the manufacturing sector, said the statement. 

The figures in production, new orders, exportation and purchasing activities increased in a faster manner last month compared to November 2015, encouraging companies to raise employment rates, it added. 

"Even if manufacturers who were surveyed said escalating geopolitical tensions negatively affected the foreign demand, they noted a rise in new export orders. Another critical indicator for them was the positive effect of the decreasing input prices in the manufacturing sector," said Markit Senior Economist Trevor Balchin. 

He said the rising trend in the PMI of Istanbul mainly resulted from growth in both domestic and export markets.
Hürriyet's Sebati Karakurt photographs Diyarbak?r's Sur amid curfew and clashesIn Photos: Istanbul welcomes 2016 covered in snowIn Photos: Cities across the world celebrate New YearIn photos: Turkey commemorates Rumi with 'Night of Union' ceremony in KonyaIn Photos: Ta?yaran Valley in Aegean region to become nature parkPictures released by the Armed Forces depict destruction...