It's time to tighten your belts! Turkey has published a package of measures to save money in the public sector

Minister of Finance and Treasury Shimshek has unveiled a package of measures that will be taken to save money in the public sector and will be in effect for 3 years. The measures are aimed at more efficient use of state resources and combating inflation.

At the moment, the package includes the following items:
- prohibition on the purchase of vehicles
- prohibition on the use of foreign-made vehicles
- prohibition on the purchase, construction and rental of buildings and premises
- tightening control over already concluded lease agreements and termination of contracts, if necessary
- hiring of employees in the public sector will be carried out in accordance with the number of employees who have retired (i.e., how many employees have retired, so many new employees will be hired to replace those who have left)
- limitation of the amount of remuneration received by civil servants who are members of the Board of Directors
- introduction of full digitization of document flow and reporting, including digitization of archives
- saving energy resources and switching to "green" energy
- Representation and promotion allowances will be reduced by 25 %
- with the exception of international meetings and national holidays, the organization of foreign trips, receptions, dinners, etc. is prohibited.
- Prohibition on giving gifts
- funds for the purchase of goods and services will be reduced by 10%, and for investments - by 15%.

"The savings measures apply to the entire public sector. All civil servants, without exception, must comply with them. Monitoring, auditing and reporting will be carried out. Administrative sanctions and fines will be applied," Mehmet Shimshek said and added that the list of measures will be supplemented over time.