Romania's 2009 Inflation Seen Below 4.0% - PM Tariceanu

Romania's central bank, BNR, last month raised its 2008 inflation forecast to 6.6% from an earlier 6.0%, and the 2009 forecast to 4.2% from a previous 3.5%. However, BNR governor Mugur Isarescu said recently the projection for the current year may be positively revised.

"The central bank's forecasts for this year are very positive and optimistic; we will have inflation which will decrease dramatically, so for next year inflation is not foreseen jumping above 4.0%," Tariceanu told a car producers conference.

Analysts polled by SeeNews on Monday said BNR was unlikely to increase its monetary policy rate from the current 10.25% at its meeting on Thursday, thanks to improved inflationary outlook resulting from falling oil prices on global markets and the good crop year in Romania.