Inflation up by %1.8 in August – statistics

BAGHDAD  – The inflation index increased in August by 1.8 percent compared to the previous month, while the annual indicator was down by 5.2% for the period from August 2007 to August 2008, according to the Iraqi Central Bureau of Statistics on Sunday.

“Inflation index of August 2008 witnessed an increase by 1.8 percent compared to July 2008,” read a release issued by the National Information Center as received by IraqiNews.com. The release attributed the rise to the increase in the prices of foodstuffs, cigarettes, drinks, fabrics, clothes, and shoes, furniture, fuel power; transportation, medical services and medicines among others.