According to the General Statistics Office, price increases were seen in up to nine out of the 11 goods and service groups in the price basket, with the highest levels reported in educational equipment and transport group at 5% and 1.51% respectively.
September’s price consumer index has increased by 0.59% against last month
They were followed by housing and construction materials with 0.69%; medicines and health services with 0.25%; food and catering services with 0.08%; household appliances with 0.06%; footwear and garment products with 0.05%; drink and tobacco with 0.02% and other services.
Meanwhile, culture, entertainment and tourism services saw the price fall of 0.08% and the rate is 0.04% for telecommunications group.
The office attributed to higher CPI mainly heavy rains, storms and floods which happened in many localities in the month, causing the price hike of fresh flood in these localities. Floods and storms also damaged many houses, schools and infrastructure in many localities, particularly in the central region.
The price increase of housing and construction materials is due to the steel prices which have been raised by 5-10% following more expensive input materials.
Increased petrol prices on September 5 and September 20 were also blamed.
The office also mentioned the increase of 0.31% of health service prices for people who do not own health insurance.
September’s CPI increased 3.4% on-year and 1.83% against December 2016. CPI in the first ninth months of this year increased 3.79% against the same period of last year.
