MOSCOW, July 26 Reuters Russia39;s central bank hiked its key interest rate by 200 basis points to 18 on Friday, the highest level in more than two years, and vowed to continue tightening until inflation rates in an overheated economy come down.

The bank also raised its inflation forecast for 2024 to 6.57.0, well above its 4 target. It sees annual price growth declining to 4.04.5 in 2025.

The market was expecting the hike, a Reuters poll of economists showed, though some dissenting voices in the Russian elite had favoured a more dovish approach, criticising the bank for stifling economic growth.

The key rate is now at its highest since April 2022. The Bank of Russia raised rates to 20 in an emergency move soon after the Kremlin sent Russian troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

For inflation to begin decreasing again, monetary policy needs to be tightened further, the bank said in a statement. Its next ratesetting meeting is due on Sept. 13.

Annual inflation, the bank39;s main area of concern, grew to 9.0 as of 22 July from 8.6 in June, the bank said. Inflation stood at 7.4 in 2023, compared with 11.9 in 2022.

Returning inflation to the target requires considerably tighter monetary conditions than presumed earlier, the bank said. The Bank of Russia will consider the necessity of further key rate increase at its upcoming meetings.

SUBSTANTIALLY OVERHEATED

Central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina said the economy remained substantially overheated, while noting a…