Bandar Seri Begawan - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July 2012 increased by 0.4 per cent from June 2012, which recorded an increase of less than 0.05 per cent compared to May 2012.

The increase for July 2012 was due to the higher prices of fresh prawn, salted anchovies and dried prawn, men's shoes, and umrah packages compared to June 2012. On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels due to lower costs of materials for the maintenance and repair of dwellings compared to June 2012.

CPI for July 2012 increased by 0.6 per cent compared to July 2011, largely due to the higher index for food and non-alcoholic beverages; and recreation and culture.

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 July 2012 is available on the website: www.depd.gov.bn.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin