Malawi central bank keeps benchmark lending rate at 25.0 pct

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Malawi's central bank left its benchmark lending rate unchanged at 25 percent, saying it expected inflation to trend down to around 15 percent by June partly as a result of lower fuel prices. In a statement posted on its website, the Bank of Malawi also said growth in the agriculture-driven economy, which was earlier projected at 5.8 percent, may be revised downwards due to the late on-set of rains and flooding.