Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei has recorded an inflation rate of 0.5 per cent over the period of 12 months from January to December last year, according to statistics released by the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) yesterday.

In its latest report, it said in comparison to 2011, the average annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) in 2012 was 107.4, compared to 106.9 the previous year which was attributed to the higher index for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages; Recreation and Culture; and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels.

Meanwhile, JPKE said The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December 2012 decreased by 0.1 per cent over November 2012. The decrease was due to the lower prices of garments, clothing materials, shoes and other footwear, furniture and furnishings, and household textiles following the commencement of the 'Brunei Salebration 2012', which started on November 26, 2012.

However, an increase was recorded in Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages due to higher prices of fresh fish, prawns and other seafood, and fresh leafy and fruit type vegetables. Health cost also increased due to higher prices of medicinal preparations and patent medicines compared to November 2012.

Meanwhile, the CPI for December 2012 has increased by 0.4 per cent in comparison with the same period the previous year (Dec 2011).

This is largely due to the higher index for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages; Recreation and Culture; and Housing, Water, Electricity Gas and Other Fuels.

CPI is a measure of price changes of goods and services paid by the consumer in a specified period.

The list of goods and services in the CPI is based on the average expenditure per household from the Household Expenditure Survey. The CPI full report for December and Annual 2012 is available from JPKE's website www.depd.gov.bn.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin