Zambia's central bank leaves rate unchanged at 9.75 percent

LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia's central bank left its main lending rate unchanged at 9.75 percent for the third straight month on Monday, saying the impact of a firmer kwacha currency would balance out inflationary pressures from rising food prices. "After weighing the inflationary risks, the Committee resolved to maintain the current relatively tight monetary policy stance following recent upward adjustments in the policy rate in June and July," the bank said in a statement.