Turkey moves to do trade in local currency: Erdogan

Speaking at an inauguration ceremony in central province of Kayseri, Erdogan said: "We have taken steps also to do trade with Russia, China and Iran in our local currency."

The president also reminded that Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will pay an official visit to Russia on Monday. "We will also take steps to do our trade in that region in the local currency.

"If we buy something from them [foreign countries], we will do that in their currency; if they buy something from us, they will do it in our currency."

Erdogan noted that Turkey will "play its own game" in the economic arena against "all games" played against it.

The president reiterated his Friday call on Turkish citizens to convert their foreign exchange savings into Turkish lira and gold to help boost the value of the local currency.

Following Erdogan's call to support the declining Turkish currency against the US dollar, Turkey's stock exchange also decided the same day to convert all of its cash assets into Turkish lira.

All of the cash assets will be kept in lira accounts, Borsa Istanbul said in a statement.

The U.S. dollar/Turkish lira exchange rate went up to stand at 3.5430 at 5 p.m. (1400GMT) Friday, compared to 3.4860 at Thursday's close.

Also making remarks at the ceremony in Kayseri, PM Yildirim said Turkey continues its economic growth despite all recent developments in the world. "It is for sure that Turkish economy remains strong against all attacks and ruses."