ISTANBUL — August 13, 2026
Türkiye’s annualized current account deficit reached $38.9 billion in June, while the government expects the deficit to remain at sustainable levels despite elevated energy and commodity prices, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek said.
Şimşek commented on the June balance of payments data released by the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT), saying the current account deficit is expected to equal approximately 2.3% of GDP in the second quarter.
“Although high energy and other commodity prices are putting pressure on the current account balance, we expect the current account deficit to remain at sustainable levels,” Şimşek said.
Strong External Financing Access
Şimşek highlighted Türkiye’s continued access to external financing as an important indicator of confidence in the country’s economic program.
Over the past year, external debt rollover ratios reached 161% for the banking sector and 246% for the real sector, he said.
According to the minister, these figures demonstrate the strength of external financing conditions and the confidence established during the government’s economic program.
Focus on Productivity and Transformation
Şimşek said the government would continue implementing policies focused on productivity and economic transformation in order to make the improvements achieved in the current account balance more permanent.
The comments came after the CBRT reported a $4.19 billion current account deficit in June, while the current account balance excluding gold and energy recorded a $1.46 billion surplus.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök