WRAPUP 2-Chile's economy holds strong, prices rise

(Adds finance minister comment in paragraphs 13-14)

By Pav Jordan

SANTIAGO, June 5 (Reuters) - Chile's economy and inflation have both grown faster than expected in recent months, likely putting pressure on the central bank to review monetary policy at its next meeting on June 14.

Chile's economic activity index, the IMACEC, rose 6.6 percent in April compared with a year earlier, maintaining this year's strong growth after 6.6 percent growth in March, the central bank said on Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, the National Statistics Institute said the consumer price index rose 0.6 percent in May, equal to the 0.6 percent in April, mostly amid rising transport and food costs.

The increase was greater than the median forecast of a rise of 0.4 percent expected by 10 economists polled by Reuters.

"This is going to put pressure on the central bank," said Eduardo Orpis, an economist with Finanzas Today in Santiago.

"It looks to me like the economic recovery continues to be consolidated."

Chile's economy has rebounded this year after only 4.0 percent growth for 2006.