Turkey Mınıster: Manufacturıng Data Poınt To Strong Growth

Increases in Turkey's manufacturing capacity utilization rates in MayApril point to strong economic growth in the second quarter of the year, Turkish IndustryTrade Minister Nihat Ergun said late Monday.

Data from the country's central bank Monday showed manufacturing capacity utilization rose to 73.4% in May, from 72.2% in April64.2% in May 2009.

Gross domestic product rose 6% on the year in the fourth quarter, after a 2.9% contraction in the third quarter, the most recent figures show.

The economy minister, Ali Babacan, said last month the government was likely to revise its forecast for 2010 economic growth higher in June, from the current prediction of a 3.5% expansion.
(SB-SB-ENG)