KIEV, April 26 - The National Bank of Ukraine maintains its forecast for consumer inflation at 12% in 2016 and 8% in 2017 despite a faster-than-expected slowdown in inflation in the first quarter.

"Most of the factors that contributed to the rapid deceleration of inflation in January-March 2016 are short term in nature, and their impact will be offset in the following periods. The return of the inflation figure to the target values will be supported by a rise in prices in the world commodity markets," the central bank said.