Kazakh Cbank to consider rate cuts in Q1 2010-Deputy

NEW YORK Nov 23 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan's deputy central bank chairman said on Monday there is room for cutting interest rates, but any decision will be taken closer to the end of the first quarter of next year.

Daniyar Akishev, speaking with Reuters on the sidelines of a Kazakhstan-U.S. Investment forum, said now was not the time to revise interest rate policies.

"We have potential space for cutting interest rates, but not in 2009. I think the proper moment for revising (policy) is maybe March or maybe February 2010," Akishev said.

The central bank has been battling to keep the national currency, the tenge, from appreciating as oil prices have rebounded and interest rates are relatively high at 7 percent, compared with nearly zero in developed economies. (Editing by Padraic Cassidy) ((daniel.bases@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646 223 6131; Reuters Messaging: daniel.bases.reuters.com@reuters.net))