ANKARA 

Turkish economists say the country's inflation rate in February likely rose 0.40 percent month-on-month.

A panel of 20 experts questioned by Anadolu Agency projected on average a 0.40 percent rise in the inflation rate for February compared to the previous month.

The annual inflation rate will reach 9.68 percent for the month from 9.22 percent in January, according to the survey.

TurkStat, the state Turkish Statistical Institute, is due to announce the country's consumer price index figures for February on this Friday, March 3.

The economists also forecast that Turkey's year-end inflation will be 8.76 percent.