(Update in detail by sectors)
SANTIAGO, Aug 6 (Reuters) – Consumer prices in Chile rose 0.8% in July, according to official figures released on Friday, while 12-month inflation was 4.5%, above the target range for the Central Bank from 2% to 4%.
The increase in prices was led by a 1.7% increase in the cost of transportation and, especially, of gasoline, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), although food and non-alcoholic beverages also increased considerably.
The Chilean economy has begun to warm up thanks to an accelerated vaccination campaign that has allowed greater mobility of people. In June, economic activity shot up 20.1%.
The central bank raised its benchmark interest rate from 0.5% to 0.75% in mid-July, as the economy of the main copper producer reactivates.
(Reporting by Dave Sherwood; Edited in Spanish by Janisse Huambachano)