Govt Eyes Price Hikes

VIVAnews - The government will monitor prices of such products as sugar and rice, which contribute to the inflation. The government is still hoping that the inflation rate will touch one digit this year.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Sri Mulyani Indrawati said in order to maintain the inflation rate at one digit, the increase in products' prices will be monitored. Moreover, the monitoring will not only focus on certain commodities.

"We will observe whether or not the impact is significant," she said on Thursday, Feb. 19.

She said price monitoring will be carried out strictly in the coming few weeks. The government will observe which commodities the price increase will affect.

Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu acknowledged earlier that there will be price increases by the end of the month due to terrible weather which has resulted in delayed distribution.

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Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman