In June 2008, the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) increased by 0.5 per cent over the previous month. This primarily reflected an increase of 2.5 per cent in the Transport Index, due to price rises in fuels.

The Restaurants and Hotels Index registered an increase of 1.2 per cent, due to seasonal price rises in accommodation services.

The Health Index went up by 0.4 per cent, mainly on account of higher prices of medical and paramedical services.

Higher prices of garments caused the Clothing Index to go up by 0.3 per cent.

Higher prices of tools and equipment used for the repair and maintenance of dwellings underlay a rise of 0.2 per cent in the Furniture, Household Equipment & Routine Maintenance of the House Index.

An increase in the price of stationery goods was the main cause of an upward shift in the Recreation and Culture Index, by 0.1 per cent.

A rise in the price of kerosene caused the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels Index to go up by 0.1 per cent.

The Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages Index went down by 0.7 per cent, mainly on account of seasonal price reductions of fruits and vegetables.

A decrease of 0.1 per cent was also recorded in the Miscellaneous Goods and Services due to lower prices of luggage and other travel accessories.

In June, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.8 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 4.4 per cent.

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