Brunei's 2009 inflation at 1.8%

BRUNEI'S full-year inflation rose 1.8 per cent last year as compared to 2.7 per cent in 2008, government statistics yesterday showed.

In a statement, the Department of Economic Planning and Development said among the groups monitored, recreation and entertainment posted the biggest rise in cost, edging up 3.1 per cent following "higher prices of some recreation items and hobbies and other miscellaneous expenditure".

The cost of miscellaneous good and services posted the second-largest rise, jumping 2.4 per cent due to higher prices of ladies personal effects, baby care equipment and accessories and miscellaneous expense.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages costs rose 2.3 per cent in 2009.

"The increase was due to higher prices of rice and cereal products (eg wheat flour, biscuits, instant noodles and dried plain noodles) by five per cent; fruits (eg canned fruit and fresh tropical and non-tropical fruits) by five per cent; sugar, sugar preserves and confectionery (eg sweets, chocolate, ice cream and honey) by by 4.9 per cent; and dairy products and eggs (eg evaporated milk, chicken eggs, cheese and mayonnaise) by 4.8 per cent," the statement said.

Transportation costs saw an increase of 2.1 per cent, the data said. "The transport cost increased by 2.1 per cent due to higher prices of selected motor vehicles, spare parts of motor vehicles and public transport fare," the release said.

Housing, water, electricity and maintenance costs also rose last year.

"Besides that, the cost of clothing and footwear rose by 0.7 per cent as a result of higher prices of materials for male/female, accessories and rental of wedding dress, tailoring charges and haberdasheries," the statement said.

Meanwhile, higher prices of maintenance and minor repairs led to an increase in the cost of housing, water, electricity and maintenance by 0.7 per cent.

On the other hand, education, communication and medical and health costs fell last year.

The statement said the consumer price index or CPI measures changes over time in the prices paid by consumer for a fixed basket of goods and services. The CPI is solely a measure of price changes and not a measure of changes in general cost of living since it does not take into account factors, such as changes in lifestyle, increase in household incomes and the availability of new goods and services.

The Brunei Times