IMF raises Turkey growth forecast for 2018, expects 7 percent growth in 2017

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday raised Turkey's growth forecast for 2018 by 0.5 percentage points to 4 percent.

The IMF also said it expects Turkey's economy to expand by 7 percent in 2017, which is "well above potential."

"In 2017, a sizable credit impulse — driven by state loan guarantees — and fiscal policy supported the economy, at a time when domestic demand seemed anemic. Exports increased sharply, due to stronger external demand, against the backdrop of a softer [Turkish] lira," the IMF said in a statement.

Due to strong growth in 2017 "the output gap now appears positive, with symptoms of associated imbalances," the statement added.

The IMF said it expected "some moderation" in Turkey's growth this year, "reflecting in part a weaker policy-driven impulse."

Turkey's economy grew 5.2 percent in the first quarter of last year, 5.1 percent in the second quarter and staggering 11.1 percent in the third quarter.

Turkish officials also expect Turkey's growth in 2017 to stand at around 7 percent.