Inflation up 2.6% in March

Blame higher prices of packaged tours.

Inflation levels extended their climb for the third time this year after rising 2.6% in March, according to statistics released by the Census & Statistics Department.

“The slightly faster increase in March was mainly due to an earlier arrival of the Easter holidays that began in late March this year, which resulted in a surge in charges for package tours on a year-on-year basis,” a government spokesman said.

Year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in March for basic necessities including food, and electricity, gas and water which rose 5% and 4.3% respectively.

Housing and transport prices also increased 2.6% and 1.6% along with alcohol and tobacco, clothing and footwear, and miscellaneous goods in March.

Prices for durable goods, however, dipped 2.1% over the same period.