November’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) saw a slight increase of 0.47 percent from the previous month, much lower than 0.85 percent in October and 2.2 percent in September.

The General Statistics Office (GSO) said on November 24 that this month’s CPI increased 6.52 percent compared with last December’s figures.

Therefore, CPI for 2012 will remain at 8 percent if December’s figures do not exceed 1.4 percent, the GSO said.

Nine out of the 11 commodity baskets increased between 0.03 and 5.16 percent, with the highest price rise recorded in medicine and medical services.

Restaurant and catering services as well as postal and telecommunication services saw a decrease.

According to GSO, the slowdoen in November’s CPI is due to the 0.08 percent decrease in restaurant and catering services, which accounts for 40 percent of the goods basket. This is a positive sign, contributing to a low CPI increase.

However, in November, medicine and medical services still remain strong. The increase of 5.16 percent is due to the rise in hospital fees witnessed by many cities and provinces. This is the fifth consecutive month the basket has seen a strong rise.

To control the price in the final months of the year, the Government and relevant ministries and agencies need to monitor the market price, and balance supply and demand of essential goods and services to stabilise the market.-VNA