Turkish economy to slowdown seriously in 2009-OECD

Turkey's growth might slow down next year due to the global financial crisis, Rauf Gonenc said speaking at a conference on Turkey-EU relations on Monday.

"Every serious step that will increase Turkey's reliability at an international level is of great importance under current conditions," Gonenc was quoted by the Anatolian News Agency as saying.

Gonenc also said that Turkey's talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should be concluded positively and the country should carry on with an IMF program, especially under the present conditions.

He said that IMF should closely watch the Turkish economy and report the situation to the world within the framework of an agreed program, even though the program may not envisage any financial support.

"Because, when there is not such a reporting process, Turkey may not have the same transparency, Gonenc said.