The general point-to-point inflation rate slightly rose to 7.48 percent in March from 7.44 percent in February 2014 compared to 7.71 percent in March 2013.
The food inflation also marked a slight rise in March to 8.96 percent from 8.84 percent in February 2014. However, the non-food inflation rate declined to 5.26 percent in March, down from 5.37 percent in February this year.
Director General of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Golam Mostafa Kamal came up with the latest inflation status while releasing the monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) at the BBS auditorium here on Sunday.
He said the food inflation rate slightly went up due to the price hike of rice, pulse, wheat, vegetables, fruits, edible oil, spices and milk powder.
The BBS Director General explained that the prices of food items soared as a section of businessmen tries to recover the losses they incurred during the political unrest ahead of the January-5 parliamentary elections.
Golam Mostafa said the inflation rate is gradually declining from 7.56 percent in January this year. “We hope the inflation rate will finally come down to the government’s target of 7.20 percent.” he added.
In urban areas, the general point-to-point inflation rate was 7.98 percent in February, higher from 7.97 percent in the previous month. The inflation rate in urban areas is higher than rural areas.
The general point-to-point inflation rate in rural areas was 7.21 percent in March against 7.17 percent in February last.
The food inflation in rural areas increased to 8.53 percent, up from 8.42 percent in February.
The non-food inflation in rural areas was found declining as it was 4.83 percent in March compared to 4.92 percent in February 2014.
In urban areas, the food inflation rate slightly increased in March to 9.98 percent from 9.84 percent in February.
However, non-food inflation rate in urban areas witnessed downtrend in March as it stood at 5.88 percent against 5.99 percent in February 2014.
The point-to-point national wage index rate also went up to 9.41 percent in March, which was 9.23 percent in February this year.
Source: UNBConnect