Russia raises its key interest rate to 16%

Russian central bank raised its key interest rate to 16%, announcing a fifth hike since the summer in an effort to combat accelerating inflation, AFP reported.

"Current inflationary pressures remain high. Annual inflation for 2023 is expected to be near the upper end of the forecast range of 7.0-7.5%," the Bank of Russia said in a statement explaining its decision./BGNES