Mehmet Besimo

The number of foreign arrivals to Turkey declined approximately 13 percent in March to 1.65 million compared to the same month of 2015, the sharpest drop since October 2006, amid rising security concerns and dramatic decrease in the number of Russian tourists. 

Turkish industrial production numbers have beaten expectations after an increase of 5.6 percent in January compared with the same month last year, data from the Turkish Statistics Institute (TÜ?K) showed on March 8.
 
Seasonally and calendar adjusted industrial production increased by 1 percent year-on-year in January, according to the data. 

Turkey's main economic challenge this year will be battling inflation amid a continuing increase in the rate, according to Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet ?im?ek. 

Economic confidence index decreased by 3.8 percent to 100.18 in December compared to previous month, amid rising tension between Turkey and Russia and uncertainties resulting from the rate hike decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed). 

Turkey's annual inflation rate increased above estimates to 8.1 percent in November from 7.58 percent in October due to a sharp hike in footwear and clothing prices, according to data revealed by the Turkish Statistics Agency (TÜ?K) on Dec. 3. 

The highest monthly increase was 5.37 percent in clothing and footwear, according to the TÜ?K data. 

Turkey's annual inflation rate increased above estimates to 8.1 percent in November from 7.58 percent in October due to a sharp hike in footwear and clothing prices, according to data revealed by the Turkish Statistics Agency (TÜ?K) on Dec. 3. 

The highest monthly increase was 5.37 percent in clothing and footwear, according to the TÜ?K data. 

Turkey's economic confidence index took a record plunge in September, data showed on Sept. 29, in the starkest evidence yet of the damage political uncertainty and escalating violence have done to its long-term outlook.

The consumer confidence index in Turkey dropped to 58.52 in September, its lowest value since January 2009, the period when the global financial crisis had the greatest impact, amid political uncertainties, market fluctuations and security concerns. 

Turkey?s foreign trade deficit narrowed in January to $4.31 billion, a 37.5 percent decrease from the same month of the previous year, due to the decrease in oil prices and the rise in gold exports, mainly to Switzerland.