Turkey during the pandemic: continuation of foreign trade and introduction of internal restrictions

Turkey during the pandemic: continuation of foreign trade and introduction of internal restrictions Turkey's consumer confidence index fell again due to the introduction of new bans related to preventing the spread of the disease. However, in foreign policy, the country continues to act actively, concluding new deals

Turkey's consumer confidence index fell to 86.4 points in December, reflecting increased coronavirus cases. One of the reasons was the introduction of measures to limit the spread of the pandemic, which include the appointment of a curfew and the closure of restaurants on weekends.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, the index fell by 3.5% on a monthly basis. It hit a record low at the height of the pandemic earlier this year, rebounded for six consecutive months when measures were eased, and then fell again in November.

However, the beginning of the second wave of the pandemic did not affect foreign relations and the strengthening of trade ties of the state.

Earlier in the week, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said a free trade agreement with London would be signed on Tuesday and take effect after Thursday, when Britain officially leaves the European Union.

In turn, the UK Department of Commerce said last week that this deal will repeat the existing trading conditions. It is the first agreement to be announced since British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck a new trade deal with the European Union last week.

Trade relations between London and Ankara in 2019 were estimated at 18.6 billion pounds ($25.25 billion), and the UK said it was the fifth-largest trade deal concluded by its Trade Ministry after agreements with Japan, Canada, Switzerland and Norway.

Currently, the UK has already signed trade agreements with 62 countries ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on January 1.