Czech c.banker eyes "gradual" int.rate rise -paper

...Ekonom published on Thursday.

"For a long period of time, the Czech economy lived in an environment of stable interest rates. Now this is changing, we are in the phase of their gradual rise," Hampl was quoted as saying.

The seven-member CNB board meets on Aug. 30 and markets have been uncertain whether its members see inflation pressures strong enough to warrant a second rate rise in as many months after July's quarter point hike in the policy rate to 3 percent.

Hampl said the global financial markets turbulence of the past several weeks would have no "dramatic" impact on the Czech economy, as credit and currency markets remained unscathed.

[PRAGUE/Reuters/Finance.cz]