Turkish lira hits record low

World

Published: 2021-12-17 11:25

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 16:45


Turkish lira hits record low
Turkish lira hits record low

The Turkish lira hit a record low against the dollar on Friday, a day after the central bank announced another interest rate cut as part of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's economic program.

The lira fell two percent to 16 against the dollar, compared to its close at 15,675 on Thursday.

The dollar has more than doubled in value this year against the lira, disrupting the large emerging market economy.

The central bank cut the interest rate by 100 basis points, in line with expectations, bringing the rate of cut that began in September to 500 points, which reduces the attractiveness of the currency to investors and depositors.

The bank hinted that it would halt the interest rate cut to monitor its repercussions in the next three months.

The central bank is facing pressure from Erdogan to cut interest rates in order to boost economic growth.

The bank has intervened four times in the currency market in the past two weeks and sold dollars to slow the decline of the lira and erode its already depleted foreign reserves.