The country’s inflation rate for the month of September 2013 has dropped by a marginal 0.1 percent from 7.1 percent in August to 7.0 percent.
Speaking during a monthly press briefing in Lusaka today, Central Statistical office Director, John Kalumbi says the annual rate of inflation has decreased for food and non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, health, transport, education among others.
Mr Kalumbi notes that of the total 7.0 percent annual inflation rate recorded in September 2013, food and non alcoholic beverages accounted for 3.4 percent while non food products accounted for a total of 3.6 percent.
He says the annual rate of inflation increased in Lusaka, Northern, Muchinga and Southern Provinces while decreasing in Central, Copperbelt, Luapula, North western and Western provinces.
Mr. Kalumbi adds that the monthly inflation rate for the month of September 2013 was recorded at 0.4 percent compared to 0.7 percent in August decreasing by of 0.3 percent attributed to the price decrease of food items.
And Mr. Kalumbi has disclosed that the Central Statistic office in conjunction with the ministry of labour will soon be releasing the 2012 labour force survey results whose main objective is to measure and monitor the labour market indicators for decision making and planning.
Keep IMF away
The tone of the report indicates that there is some inactivity in our economy. Considering the unprecedented infrastructure rhetoric being pronounced by our leaders, one would except a volatile market.
Bufi pro- qou-quid ! Balabeja, kibuhaata fela! Reality check, the transmission effects are yet to take effect into the September- October period. We await your October report and see whether it shall be reflective and in tandem with this report. Otherwise, thanks for the effort to collate data and interpret it. But one thing is clear there is lack of autonomy and objectivity in your report and attendant findings. The figures have been s.exed-up!
Are tobacco, health, transport, education among others not part of inflation because food and non alcoholic beverages accounted for 3.4 percent while non food products accounted for a total of 3.6 percent which = 7.0
Ignore CPI, which is a subset of inflation (and easier to manipulate). Add non-food and food together and you’ll come to 14-15%, which is what everyone feels. Not many just buy the consumer price basket.