Norway's central bank raises policy rate to 4.25 pct

STORY: Norway's central bank raises policy rate to 4.25 pct DATELINE: Sept. 22, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:31 LOCATION: Oslo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Norges Bank 2. various of a press conference held in Norges Bank 3. various of Norges Bank STORYLINE: Norges Bank, Norway's central bank, on Thursday increased its benchmark interest rate from 4.0 percent to 4.25 percent to curb inflation. Norges Bank Governor Ida Wolden Bache told reporters that the country's current inflation rate remains significantly above the targeted 2 percent. In Norway, prices have increased for a range of goods and services. According to official figures, the 12-month rise in the consumer price index (CPI) was 4.8 percent in August, higher than expected. "Persistently high inflation imposes substantial costs on society. A somewhat higher interest rate is imperative to align inflation with the target within a feasible timeframe," Bache said. She said challenges prevail in the labor market with its continuing tightness. In