Turkey's forex sales to Botas, other state firms $1.82 billion in May

A money changer counts Turkish lira bills at an currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Turkey
A money changer counts Turkish lira bills at an currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Turkey, August 21, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

ISTANBUL, June 7 (Reuters) - Sales of foreign currency to Turkey's state economic enterprises - primarily energy importer Botas - amounted to $1.82 billion in May, the central bank said on Tuesday, down from a record $5.37 billion in February.

The total amount of foreign currency sold to state institutions so far this year was $17.9 billion, according to data. The central bank used reserves to lessen the impact of the state's forex demand in the market.

Turkey imports almost all its energy needs, leaving it vulnerable to price swings. Surging energy prices after Russia's invasion of Ukraine pushed costs higher, threatening to derail an economic plan aimed at achieving a current account surplus.

The contribution of foreign currency reserves through rediscount credits was $2.4 billion in May, adding a total $10.4 billion to central bank reserves this year via this channel.

The lira currency has lost some 20% of its value this year, on top of a 44% plunge last year.

Reporting by Daren Butler and Nevzat Devranoglu; Writing by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Jonathan Spicer

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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