The economy surpasses expectations with a growth of 4.1% for the third trimester

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SANTIAGO.- Chile's Central Bank announced that economic activity has registered a growth of 4.1% during the third trimester compared to the same period in 2006.

Market forecasts had estimated the growth to be only 3.8% for the third trimester.

The largest boost came from the areas of Construction and Communication. Electricity, Gas and Water, as well as Agriculture and Fishing, on the other hand, dwindled. The result was also influenced by the fact that this third trimester included three workdays less than that of 2006.

The GDP rose 5.9% in the first three months of 2007, and expanded by 6.2% in the second trimester. During the third trimester, Chile grew 2.6%.

During 2007, the Central Bank expects the economy to grow somewhere around the lower part of the anticipated range between 5.75 and 6.25%.