STORY: Türkiye's annual inflation nears 70 pct in April
SHOOTING TIME: Earlier footage
DATELINE: May 4, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:27
LOCATION: Ankara
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of people shopping in a bazaar in Türkiye (April 20, 2024) (courtesy of ihlas news agency)
2. various of tourists at a hotel in Türkiye (April 5, 2024)
3. various of people at cafes and restaurants in Türkiye (April 29, 2024)
4. various of people at an intercity bus terminal in Türkiye (July 19, 2023) (courtesy of ihlas news agency)

STORYLINE:

Türkiye's annual inflation rate rose to 69.8 percent in April, the highest in one and a half years, according to official data released on Friday.
   
The annual consumer inflation continued to rise, mainly due to the increase in service prices.
   
According to data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute, the monthly consumer price index increased by 3.18 percent in April.
   
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco saw the highest price increase of 9.56 percent in the month, followed by restaurants and hotels, with a price increase of 4.69 percent, and clothing and footwear, with a price increase of 4.58 percent.
   
Türkiye's consumer prices remain elevated despite a monetary tightening policy since mid-2023. The country's inflation climbed to 68.5 percent annually in March.
   
Since the middle of last year, the Turkish government has reversed its ultra-low interest rate policy and implemented a monetary tightening policy in an effort to tame the stubbornly high inflation.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.
(XHTV)