Peru's 2008 inflation is expected to be 6.65 percent, one of the lowest in Latin America, authorities said on Thursday.

The Central Bank of Reserve (BCPR) said that according to projections of the main national and international institutions, Peru's 2008 inflation will be slightly over the projections of 6.2 percent for both Brazil and Mexico.

Consensus Forecast, a consulting company, said that in 2009 Peru will have an inflation rate of 3.9 percent, the lowest in Latin America, due to the drop in prices of food and fuel as well as the other products on the global market.

The BCRP also projected that Peru will be one of the countries in Latin America to have the highest economic growth in 2008 and 2009.

Consensus Forecast said Peru had a growth of 9.2 percent in 2008, and will keep its leadership in Latin America with 5.3 percent growth in 2009.

(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2009)