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Inflation rate in Belarus reaches 13%

MINSK, December 10. /ITAR-TASS/. Belarus’s inflation rate has reached 13.8 percent in 11 months, exceeding the annual forecast.

According to the National Statistics Committee, consumer prices for goods and services grew by 1.6 percent in November compared with the preceding month.

In November food prices jumped by 1.2 percent. The prices for potato grew by 5.6 percent, vegetables - by 4.6 percent and wheat flour - by 5.3 percent in November compared with the previous month.

The prices for non-food products increased by 0.6 percent. A significant increase was registered in prices for medicines (1.3 percent) and household chemicals (1.1 percent).

In November the prices and tariff for services increased by 3.7 percent. Tariffs for public utilities and housing services grew by 4 percent, gas supplies by 28 percent and passenger transport by 2.6 percent.

Belarusian Economy Minister Nikolai Snopkov said the inflation rate exceeded a 12 percent forecast over a decline in budget and cross subsidies, an increase in tariffs for public utilities and housing services, public transport, excise duties on petroleum products, wheat prices and rental charges.

The government said the inflation rate would stand within 15-16 percent in 2013. Last year’s inflation reached 21.8 percent. In 2014 the inflation rate is expected to stand at 11 percent.

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