Inflation in April increases 0.15%<\/p>\n
A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said on Thursday that
\ninflation in April was higher due to the rising price of sugar
\nand electricity.<\/p>\n
BPS said that inflation as measured in the consumer price
\nindex rose by 0.15 percent during April from the previous month,
\nbut increased by 7.4 percent if compared to April 2002.<\/p>\n
Analysts said that the higher inflation would not pose a
\nthreat to the government's target of 9 percent this year as
\nprices were likely to remain in control on the back of a stable
\nexchange rate of the rupiah to the U.S. dollar.<\/p>\n
This will provide more room for Bank Indonesia to continue to
\nlower its benchmark interest rate. The interest rate on Bank
\nIndonesia one-month SBI promissory notes fell again on Wednesday
\nto 11.06 percent. The lower interest rate environment is crucial
\nto help push bank loans and ease pressure on the state budget to
\nservice the government's domestic debt whose interest rate is
\nlinked to the SBI rate.<\/p>\n
BPS said that the higher price of sugar and electricity had
\ndriven up the price of key commodities, such as processed foods,
\nbeverages, cigarettes and the cost of housing.<\/p>\n
It said that the price of processed food, beverages and
\ncigarettes increased by 1.41 percent, cost of housing rose by
\n0.16 percent, health costs edged up 0.32 percent and education
\nand recreation costs were up 0.22 percent.<\/p>\n
Costs related to transportation and communications were also
\nup 1.31 percent on month, pushed higher by a 6 percent rise in
\nelectricity costs at the start of April, the bureau added.<\/p>\n
The government plans to raise electricity prices by this
\namount at the start of each quarter in 2003 to help reduce its
\nlarge debt levels.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/inflation-in-april-increases-015-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}