The September 2006 CPI Was 142.42, Or Inflated 0.38%

The September 2006 Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 142.42, or inflated 0.38% from the previous month. All indices of expenditure groups increased, except the clothing which decreased from 127.33 to 127.16 or deflated of 0.13% and transport, communication and financial services from 166.50 to 166.48 or deflated of 0.01%; the foodstuff index increased from 133.94 to 134.77 or inflated of 0.62%, prepared food, beverages, cigarette and tobacco from 136.68 to 136.86 or inflated of 0.13%; housing, water, electric, gas and fuel from 146.03 to 146.44 or inflated of 0.28%; health from 124.45 to 124.83 or inflated of 0.31%; education, recreation and sport from 144.74 to 147.41 or inflated of 1.84%.

The September 2006 inflation was mainly driven by: red chili; Academic/University education fees; small chili; leasing house fee; purebred chicken meat; beef; purebred chicken eggs; spinach; cassava leaves; green chili; orange; banana; palm sugar; cooking oil; clove-flavored cigarette; filter cigarette; plywood; wages of labor; kerosene; housemaid cost; elementary education fees; and secondary school (SLTA) education fees. The prices of the following commodities were decreased: shallot; rice; garlic; gold accessories; cucumber; tomato (vegetable); coconut; cement; and gasoline. Inflation rate for 2006 and year- on- year (September 2006 on September 2005) were 4.06% and 14.55%, respectively.

The core of CPI in September 2006 changed from 133.10 to 133.57 or yielded core inflation 0.35% compared to the previous month. The volatile good component changed from 136.35 to 137.42 or inflated of 0.78%, and the administered good component from 178.03 to 178.12 or inflated of 0.05%. In September 2006, the monthly and year- on -year core inflations were 4.27 % and 9.13% respectively. The monthly and year on year inflation of the volatile and the administered price goods inflations were (7.73% and 17.57%) and (1.27%, 28.60%) for the same time comparison, respectively.