Republic

Belarus’ inflation up to 4.4% in January-August

This August the consumer price index in Belarus totalled 104.4% as against December 2006. In August 2007 prices rose 0.3% in comparison with July, the Ministry of Statistics and Analysis told BelTA. In January-August 2006 Belarus’ inflation stood at 2.9%. Since early 2007 the inflation in the country has averaged 0.55% while the forecast figure is pegged at 0.5-0.6%. In line with this year’s National Major Monetary Management Guidelines the annual inflation is supposed to total 6-8%. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Analysis, this August the food price index amounted to 104.6% as against December 2006 and 99.6% as against July 2007. Last month prices set by public catering companies shrank by 5%, 4.5% up since December 2006. Prices for non-foods went up 0.6% in August, 3.8% up on December 2006. Tariffs on chargeable services for individuals swelled by 1.4% last month, 4.8% up since December 2006. In August 2007 the index of prices for industrial products amounted to 112.2% as against December 2006 and 101.4% as against July 2007. The index of prices for intermediate products made 101.8%, producer goods — 100.5%, consumer goods — 100.7%. In January-August the highest growth of prices was registered in power engineering (133%) and microbiological industry (124.5%). According to the source, tariffs on freight transport went up 0.3% last month, 7.5% since December 2006.