Namibia's central bank keeps lending rate steady at 7.00 pct

WINDHOEK (Reuters) - Namibia's central bank left its benchmark lending rate unchanged at 7 percent for a fourth consecutive time on Wednesday, continuing attempts to support the weakening economy. The southern African nation's economy shrunk by 1.2 percent in the second quarter of 2016 compared with a 3.4 percent expansion in the first three months of the year as construction, hospitality and mining sectors declined. (Writing by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by James Macharia)