The leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia appeared to make progress on issues preventing the conclusion of a peace deal - particularly the opening of communications links.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.3 percent in January-November this year from a year earlier mainly backed by the growth in the non-oil sector.

The Lombard repo rate was raised to 9.25 percent from 8.75 percent and the deposit rate - to 6.25 percent from 5.75 percent.

Earlier this year, Petronas decided to sell its 15.5 percent stake in the project.