Turkey aims to rise its exports to $149 bln in 2012, economy minister says

ANKARA (A.A) - Turkish economy minister has said that they expected Turkey's exports to rise to 149 billion U.S. dollars in 2012. Speaking to AA correspondent, Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan said that Turkish economy showed a great performance in 2011. "I believe that we will have new achievements in 2012 as well," he said. Turkey has become a shining star of the world in 2011 with its growth rate, export figures, employment and several other macroeconomic figures, he said. Caglayan said according to data by the Turkish Statistical Authority, Turkey's exports increased by 20 percent to 122.5 billion U.S. dollars in the first 11 months of 2011 when compared to the same period of 2010. Turkey has become the fastest growing economy of the world with its performance in the first three quarters of 2011, he said. Caglayan said they expected that exports would rise to nearly 149 billion U.S. dollars and imports would be nearly 248 billion U.S. dollars in 2012. (Reporting by Recep Demir)