The rate rise was widely expected, with most of the analysts expecting a 25bp rise and just a minority forecasting a 50bp hike.
The Monetary Council has been raising the base rate at each of its monthly rate-setting meetings since June. The base rate increased by 50bp on September 25, on August 29 and on July 25, after a 25bp hike effective June 20. Before the June rise, the base rate was unchanged since September 20, 2005, when it was reduced 25bp to 6.%.
The Monetary Council said early July it planned to gradually increase rates to bring inflation in line with its midterm target of 3% by 2008, as well as to prevent a temporary pickup of inflation. (MTI-Eco)



