Brunei May inflation steady
Thursday, July 19, 2007
BRUNEI Darussalam's inflation remained unchanged in May from the previous month as the overall prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages remained steady, according to the government's consumer price index (CPI).
The food and non-alcoholic beverages basket carries the biggest weight among the items in the index.
Year-on-year, inflation in May was marginally lower at 0.2 per cent versus the same period last year.
The report released by the Department Economic Planning and Development showed a noted increase in the prices of eggs, butter, vegetable and palm oil, and produce such as cabbage, sawi hijau, spinach, limau manis (local oranges), durian, oranges and grapes month-on-month.
The report noted the decline in prices for other food items such as fresh chicken meat and fresh fish.
However, there was a rise in the price of ready-made clothing and materials which resulted in a 0.3 per cent rise in clothing and footwear in May from April.
The cost of household goods, services and operation rose 0.2 per cent due to higher prices of furniture, floor coverings, household furnishings and household operations.
The cost of education also went up, rising by 0.1 per cent due to an increase in the cost of stationery items.
The cost of miscellaneous goods and services posted the greatest change, rising by 1.9 per cent month-on-month, attributed to higher agency fees for domestic services and higher gold prices.
Last year also saw a marked rise of 3.1 per cent for the basket of miscellaneous goods and services.
Prices of holiday packages dropped in May against April, causing the cost of recreation and entertainment to fall by 1.7 per cent.
The costs of housing, water, electricity and maintenance; transportation; and medical and health care remained the same.
For the first five months of this year, Brunei Darussalam's CPI had fallen slightly by 0.4 per cent when compared to the same period last year.
The fixed basket of goods and services is representative of the consumption pattern of the majority of households in Brunei Darussalam derived from the results of a Household Expenditure Survey.
The index only reflects the price changes, as the CPI does not include factors, such as changes in lifestyle or increase of household income and the availability of new goods and services.
The Brunei Times
The food and non-alcoholic beverages basket carries the biggest weight among the items in the index.
Year-on-year, inflation in May was marginally lower at 0.2 per cent versus the same period last year.
The report released by the Department Economic Planning and Development showed a noted increase in the prices of eggs, butter, vegetable and palm oil, and produce such as cabbage, sawi hijau, spinach, limau manis (local oranges), durian, oranges and grapes month-on-month.
The report noted the decline in prices for other food items such as fresh chicken meat and fresh fish.
However, there was a rise in the price of ready-made clothing and materials which resulted in a 0.3 per cent rise in clothing and footwear in May from April.
The cost of household goods, services and operation rose 0.2 per cent due to higher prices of furniture, floor coverings, household furnishings and household operations.
The cost of education also went up, rising by 0.1 per cent due to an increase in the cost of stationery items.
The cost of miscellaneous goods and services posted the greatest change, rising by 1.9 per cent month-on-month, attributed to higher agency fees for domestic services and higher gold prices.
Last year also saw a marked rise of 3.1 per cent for the basket of miscellaneous goods and services.
Prices of holiday packages dropped in May against April, causing the cost of recreation and entertainment to fall by 1.7 per cent.
The costs of housing, water, electricity and maintenance; transportation; and medical and health care remained the same.
For the first five months of this year, Brunei Darussalam's CPI had fallen slightly by 0.4 per cent when compared to the same period last year.
The fixed basket of goods and services is representative of the consumption pattern of the majority of households in Brunei Darussalam derived from the results of a Household Expenditure Survey.
The index only reflects the price changes, as the CPI does not include factors, such as changes in lifestyle or increase of household income and the availability of new goods and services.
The Brunei Times
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