Brazil's Central Bank decided yesterday to keep its benchmark interest rate at 13.75 percent to curb inflation.

The bank's monetary policy committee voted unanimously to preserve the rate at current level during a decision-making meeting Wednesday.

"After studying future economic growth, the committee members thought that it's necessary to keep the benchmark interest rate at13.75 percent to curb inflation amid current financial turmoil," a committee statement said.

Brazil's Central Bank has for four times raised the benchmark interest rate since April, from 11.25 percent to 13.75 percent in a bid to control inflation.

However, the ongoing international financial crisis swiftly affected Brazil after the bank lifted the rate for the fourth time on Sept.10, making it start selling off dollars to stabilize financial market.

Before Wednesday's meeting, it was predicted that the benchmark interest rate could be lifted by 0.25 percent to 14 percent.