Data shows foreign trade gap shrinks
The figure reached $55 billion last year, down from a $76.8 billion deficit in 2017, according to TurkStat.
Turkish exports rose seven percent on a yearly basis to hit $168 billion, as imports dropped to $223 billion, indicating a decrease of 4.6 percent.
The exports-to-imports coverage ratio advanced to 75.3 percent last year, up from 67.1 percent in 2017.
In 2017, the country's exports were nearly $157 billion, while imports were $233.8 billion.
Tourism income totals $29.5B
Meanwhile, Turkey welcomed 39.5 million foreign visitors in 2018, the Culture and Tourism Ministry announced on Thursday.
The number of foreign visitors last year rose by 21.84 percent year-on-year.
Istanbul, Turkey's world-famous touristic city, was the top destination with 13.4 million tourists – 34 percent of all foreign visitors.
Turkey's tourism income totalled $29.5 billion in 2018, according to the country's statistical authority.
The annual tourism revenue surged 12.3 percent last year, up from $26.3 billion in the previous year, TurkStat reported.
Turkey welcomed 45.6 million visitors in 2018, marking a 18.1 percent hike from the previous year.