Turkey's exports hit highest-ever monthly figure in May

By Muhammed Ali Gurtas

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's exports hit the highest-ever monthly figure with $16.8 billion in May this year, the country's trade minister announced Monday.

According to the general trade system, Ruhsar Pekcan said the country's exports last month jumped 11.46% year-on-year.

In the same month, Turkey's imports amounted to $18.5 billion with an annual decline of 19.85%.

"Turkey's foreign trade balance in May posts $1.7 billion deficit, improving from $8.1 billion deficit a year ago," she said.

Pekcan also noted that the exports-to-imports coverage ratio stood at 90.5% in May.

In the calculation of foreign trade statistics, two different methods are used -- the special trade system and the general trade system.

Calculations based on the special trade system do not include free zones and customs warehouses.

The general trade system is a wider concept, including customs warehouses, all types of free zones, free circulation area and premises for inward processing.

Through the end of every month, Turkey's statistical authority TurkStat released the final foreign trade figures for the previous month, as the ministry of trade announces preliminary general trade system data in the first week of every month.