Israel, Colombia announce mutual visa exemption from September
Israel and Colombia will waive advance visa requirements for travellers from 1 September as the two countries move to restore diplomatic and econom...
Türkiye's exports hit a record $262 billion in 2024, with a reduced trade deficit and positive growth in key sectors, despite global challenges. Economic recovery and growth are expected in 2025.
Türkiye's exports reached a record high of $262 billion in 2024, marking a 2.5% annual increase, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Friday.
The foreign trade deficit decreased from $106.3 billion in 2023 to $82.2 billion, with the export-import coverage ratio rising to 76.1%, up 5.5 percentage points year-on-year.
December exports also set a record at $23.5 billion, a 2.2% increase, while imports rose 11.1% to $32.3 billion, totaling $344.1 billion for the year, down 4.9%.
Exports to the EU grew 4.2% to $108.7 billion, to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation by 6.1% to $70.1 billion, and to the Organization of Turkic States by 12.9% to $11.1 billion.
Erdogan acknowledged the challenges of 2024, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, protectionist measures, and global economic difficulties stemming from the pandemic. However, he expects a better 2025, with the global economy projected to grow by 3.2% in 2024 and 3.3% in 2025. He noted the risks posed by Germany’s economic situation but emphasized Türkiye's efforts to find new markets.
Regarding Türkiye's economy, Erdogan highlighted the end of the transition period in June 2024 and the start of the disinflation process, with annual inflation dropping to 44.38%. GDP grew from $1.13 trillion in 2023 to $1.26 trillion in Q3 2024, with per capita income expected to exceed $15,000 in 2024 and $17,000 in 2025.
Türkiye aims for 4% growth in 2025, supported by net exports and capital investments. The economy has shown positive growth for 17 consecutive quarters, including a 2.1% increase in Q3 2024.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
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Russian ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv has killed at least sixteen people and injured more than forty others, Ukrainian officials said, with fires reported across the city and Poland activating defensive air operations.
South African human rights and environmental groups have urged the government to block Israeli-linked Navitas Petroleum from acquiring a stake in a major offshore oil block, citing concerns over the war in Gaza and environmental risks.
Israel and Colombia will waive advance visa requirements for travellers from 1 September as the two countries move to restore diplomatic and economic relations following years of tensions over the war in Gaza.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
The United States imposed fresh sanctions on Hezbollah on Thursday, redesignating the Lebanese group over what Washington described as its actions on behalf of the Iranian government and targeting 10 people accused of moving cash for the group.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
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