Composite CPI up 0.85% in April

The SAR’s composite consumer price index (CPI) grew 0.85% year-on-year to 104.43 in April, according to the latest report from the Statistics and Census Service. The increase was attributed to dearer charges for dining out, rising tuition fees and wages of domestic helpers, as well as higher hotel room rates and prices of fruits and gasoline. However, the rise was partially offset by lower rentals for dwellings and reduced airfares. In comparison with March, the composite CPI rose 0.15% in April. For the 12 months ending April, the average composite CPI grew 0.99% from the previous period.