Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Chile’s economy may grow 4.4 percent in 2010, according to a monthly central bank survey of economists, faster than the 4.3 percent forecast of last month.

After shrinking in the first nine months of 2009, Chile’s economy will probably expand 2.1 percent in the last three months of this year, according to the survey published today on the central bank’s Web site.

Economists in the survey have raised their 2010 growth forecast for three straight months as record low interest rates and the central bank’s pledge to hold them there for a “prolonged period” help revive South America’s fifth-biggest economy. The bank will keep its benchmark rate unchanged at 0.5 percent at its next three meetings, according to the survey.

The survey’s forecast for 2010 gross domestic product trails the central bank’s estimated growth range of 4.5 percent to 5.5 percent.

Prices will probably remain unchanged until the end of January, according to the median of 30 forecasts. For all of 2010, consumer prices may rise 2.6 percent.

The Chilean peso gained 0.6 percent to 509.65 per dollar at 9:14 a.m. New York time from 512.50 yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Sebastian Boyd in Santiago at sboyd9@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 10, 2009 09:16 EST