Dominican central banker downplays impact of Fed´s expected rate rise

Santo Domingo.- Centralbanker Hector Valdez Albizu on Tuesday said he agrees with other economicforecasts from specialists worldwide that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) willraise interest rates at its meeting today Wednesday.

"All economistsare expecting the Fed to move the interest rate, and has been properlyinternalized by economic agents and by the central banks because US inflationis below expectations and also virtually achieved full employment withgrowth," Valdez said regarding the various forecasts that US interestrates will rise.

The official said sincethe Fed´s objectives are being fulfilled, "its decision is expected to bea sensible slight increase in interest rates."

Valdez reiterated that theexpected move didn’t take the economic agents or the central banks including DominicanRepublic´s by surprise.