S'pore Oct CPI up 3.5%

By JULIANA TAY


SINGAPORE - The consumer price index (CPI) increased by 3.5 per cent in October 2010 from a year ago due largely to higher costs of transport, housing, food as well as 'recreation & others', latest data from the Singapore Department of Statistics showed.

Higher holiday travel cost and salary for foreign maids raised the costs of 'recreation & others' by 2.4 per cent

The cost of transport advanced by 9.5 per cent as a result of higher prices of cars and petrol.

Housing cost moved up by 3.5 per cent, owing to higher accommodation costs and electricity tariffs.

Food items cost 1.7 per cent more, arising from dearer prepared meals, vegetables, rice & other cereals, fresh seafood as well as dairy products & eggs.

Higher holiday travel cost and salary for foreign maids raised the costs of 'recreation & others' by 2.4 per cent.

Excluding accommodation costs, the CPI rose by 3.5 per cent in October 2010 compared with a year ago.

On a monthly basis, October inflation edged up 0.5 per cent from September on account of higher costs of housing, transport as well as 'recreation & others'. Excluding accommodation costs, the CPI was 0.3 per cent higher.

In the first ten months of 2010, the CPI was 2.5 per cent higher compared with the same period in 2009. Excluding accommodation costs, the CPI rose by 3.2 per cent.