Turkish 2015 growth seen around 4 pct, inflation falling: Minister

Turkey's economy will grow some 4 percent in 2015 and inflation will fall "comfortably" to a Central Bank forecast of 6.1 percent, Finance Minister Mehmet ?im?ek said Jan. 15, pledging continued fiscal discipline ahead of a June election.

?im?ek said the economy was expected to have grown about 3 percent in 2014. He also forecast that the current account deficit would fall to 3-4 percent of output if oil prices stay at their current levels.

Turkey could reach at around 3 percent of growth in 2014 despite the negative developments in the global economy, the Fed's rate policy, the economic problems in the eurozone and regional woes in the Middle East and Russia.

"Our growth forecasts are more positive for 2015 as the world economy has started to revive. Any recovery in the eurozone will also a positive impact. It is also a very small possibility to face some drought conditions this year, as opposed to we did last year. In this vein, we expect to grow at around 4 percent this year," he noted.

Announcing budget figures for 2014, ?im?ek vowed to maintain strict control on public spending as Turkey approaches a parliamentary election scheduled for early June.

"We will not implement an election economy and will maintain budget discipline," he said, adding that the government is keen to maintain what is widely seen as a record of strong economic management ahead of the polls.

Data out Jan. 15 showed unemployment dipping to 10.4 percent in the three months to November, compared to 10.5 percent between August and October.

?im?ek also said the government expects more private sector investments and some recovery in the domestic demand after the elections in June.

"The problem with the Turkish economy is...