By Sevgi Ceren Gokkoyun, Mustafa Calkaya and Mehtap Yilmaz</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – Turkish businesses will continue to invest in the country’s economy, the chairman of Ankara’s Chamber of Commerce said Monday.</p> <p>Speaking at Anadolu Agency’s Economy Desk, Gursel Baran said, however, that making investments would not be sustainable with the current interest and inflation rates.</p> <p>"Turkey managed it once and will do so again," he said, adding that he did not believe the interest rates would not be permanent at the current high level.</p> <p>On Monday, the country's statistical authority reported that the annual inflation rate in February stood at 19.67 percent, down slightly from 20.35 percent in January.</p> <p>Last October, the annual inflation rate saw its highest level over the past decade, hitting 25.24 percent.</p> <p>The Central Bank’s policy rate — its one-week repo rate — is 24 percent, as the bank will announce its decision on interest rates next Wednesday.</p> <p>In 2018, interest rates climbed from 8 percent to 24 percent over the course of one year.</p> <p>Commenting on the coming municipal elections on March 31, Baran said the Turkish economy would not see any troubles after the elections.</p> <p>Underlining that the Turkish economy was being subjected to idle speculations which he suggested may originate from outside the country.</p> <p>"Turkey is one of the world's most important countries, and has characteristic features," he said.</p> <p>Baran noted that the country would continue to work decisively to achieve its long-term targets, adding that hitherto frequent elections would enter a hiatus after March 31.</p> <p>"I certainly believe that, after fulfilling our roles, Turkey will be among the world's top 10 economies by 2023 [the country's centennial], as President Erdogan says," he said.</p> <p>Highlighting the recent incentive package to increase employment, Baran said the new campaign boosted morale in the real sector.</p> <p>According to an official campaign launched last week, the government will pay salaries, taxes and premiums of every new personnel employed by businesses for three months.</p> <p>Pointing out that hundreds of international flights took off from Istanbul every day, Baran said: "From the capital Ankara, there are only 29 direct flights to 17 countries, and this is not enough."</p> <p>"Currently, direct flights from Ankara have a seat occupancy rate of 85 percent," he added.</p> <p>"We ask Turkish Airlines to starts direct flights from Ankara to the U.S., China and the Far East," he said.</p> <p>Baran also said their efforts will continue to make Ankara an important transfer destination for international flights. </p> <p><br>
- With writing and contributions by Muhammed Ali Gurtas
