Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh’s inflation as measured by consumers’ price index (CPI) fell in the month of December on point-to-point basis mainly because of decrees in prices of non-food items.
The country’s point-to-point inflation rate came down to 5.03 per cent in December, the lowest in 53 months, from 5.38 per cent of the previous month while the rate of annual average inflation came down to 5.55 per cent from 5.60 per cent, according to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) data.
“Political stability played a key role in reducing consumer prices,” said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal as he disclosed the inflation figures at the Planning Commission in the capital Dhaka on Tuesday.
The minister also said since prices of some food items like rice, fishes, vegetables, oil and other daily essential items were maintaining a falling trend due to smooth supply chain, inflation decreased last month slightly.
Official documents show the fall in prices of lentils, vegetables, onions and garlic help bring down food inflation.
On the other hand, the cost of clothes, fuel, accommodation, furniture, healthcare, transport and educational materials increased in December from November.
The inflation rate on point-to-point basis was also recorded lower in rural areas in December compared to the previous month November.
The BBS data showed that the inflation rate in rural areas in December 2016 was recorded a fall to 4.46 per cent from that of 4.75 per cent in November.
The food inflation on point-to-point basis in the rural Bangladesh decreased to 4.78 per cent last month from 4.83 per cent in the previous month November.
The non-food inflation also dropped to 3.88 per cent in December last from 4.60 per cent in the previous month November, according to the official figures.
BBN/SSR/AD