UPDATE 2-Venezuela sees zero growth in 2009, eyes new bonds

(Recasts to add ministers' comments)

CARACAS, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Venezuela's top economic officials forecast on Thursday around zero percent growth for 2009 and said the government will issue more bonds this year following this week's sale of $5 billion in dollar-denominated debt.

"We are going to close 2009 resisting the contraction ... we could be close to zero," Central Bank President Nelson Merentes told reporters. Venezuela's economy contracted 1 percent in the first half of this year, as compared with the same period of 2008.

Finance Minister Ali Rodriguez promised new bond issues after this week's "highly successful" placement.

"There will be new issues," he said. "Conditions and amounts - those are being analysed."

State oil company PDVSA is expected to issue the next bond, which officials have said should strengthen the local bolivar currency in the black market, known locally as the "parallel market.".

"The objective of these placements is not primarily to impact the so-called parallel dollar, but if it has a favorable effect for Venezuelans, so much the better," Rodriguez said.

Local media were awaiting Rodriguez and other officials to use the news conference to unveil long-flagged economic measures, aimed at spurring growth, curbing inflation and strengthening Venezuela's currency in the black market.

But officials said the measures would be unveiled gradually in coming days instead.