UPDATE 1-The reference interest rate of Tunisia at 7.75%

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TUNIS, March 22 (Reuters) – The Tunisian central bank has kept its key rate unchanged at 7.75 percent, said Friday.

Last month, the bank raised the rate from 6.75% to 7.75% as part of its efforts to combat high inflation. This was the third increase of this type in the last 12 months.

Tunisia's annual inflation rate reached 7.3% in February, compared with 7.1% in January. It reached 7.8% last June, its highest level since 1990.

The bank added that Tunisia's foreign exchange reserves now stand at 14.585 billion dinars ($ 4.9 billion), against 13.974 billion dinars at the same time last year. (1 $ = 2,9954 Tunisian dinars) (report by Tarek Amara edited by David Goodman)