BUCHAREST, September 10, 2008 (AFP) - Inflation in Romania slowed to 8.02 percent on a 12-month basis in August from 9.04 percent in July, the national statistics institute INS said on Wednesday.

The July figure had been the highest level in three years.

The head of the National Bank of Romania, Mugur Isarescu, said earlier this week that inflation is set to ease in the coming months.

'At the end of the year, we could see inflation fall back towards 6.0 percent,' he said, noting the recent easing in oil prices.

The central bank recently increased its inflation forecasts to 6.6 percent from 6.0 percent for 2008, and to 4.2 percent from 3.5 percent for 2009.

Romanian inflation was 6.57 percent in 2007.