Turkey appoints economic policy committee officials

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses during the 9th Turkey Investment Conference held by the Turkey-U.S. Business Council (TAIK) in New York, United States on 27 September, 2018 [Kayhan Özer/Anadolu Agency]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan named several of his advisers and a theology professor to a new economic policy committee, as the country seeks to reassure foreign investors spooked by a falling lira currency and high inflation, Reuters reported.

The board was one of nine committees, in areas also including education, science, culture, security and health, to which Erdogan appointed members in an Official Gazette statement today.

They are part of changes in the structure of government since Turkey switched to an executive presidency following Erdogan’s election victory in June.

READ: Turkish lira weakens after Trump says ‘no concessions’

Erdogan, a self-described “enemy of interest rates“, wants borrowing costs lowered to keep the economy growing.

The government is due to announce new measures to bring down inflation at 1pm (10:00 GMT) today.

Erdogan’s economy committee also included Servet Bayindir, a theology and economics professor specialising in Islamic finance.

In all, Erdogan named 76 members to the nine policy boards.

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