Colombia Sept inflation seen at 0.01 pct -Central Bank poll

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Colombia's consumer prices are forecast to edge up 0.01 percent in September, versus a fall of 0.14 percent in the same month last year, according to a central bank poll of analysts released on Tuesday.

Experts polled by the bank nearly unanimously expected that policymakers would keep interest rates on hold at 4.50 percent at their next meeting.

Inflation for full year 2011 was expected at 3.21 percent, down from 3.30 percent at the last poll, while for 2012 it was seen dropping slightly to 3.38 percent compared with 3.39 percent previously, the survey of 39 experts showed.

With the outlook for the U.S. and European economies worsening, Colombia's central bank held interest rates steady in August after six straight months of hikes aimed at keeping a lid on prices and preventing the economy from overheating.

In August, Colombia's consumer prices unexpectedly edged down 0.03 percent, putting the 12-month inflation rate at 3.27 percent and underscoring bets the bank may hold rates at its upcoming meeting on Sept. 30 and for the next few months.

Reuterts.