Inflation creeps up in March

Inflation edged up 4 basis points to 7.48 percent in March on the back of an increase in food price, particularly the staple rice.
The stock of aman rice has gradually been falling and the boro rice is yet to be harvested.  The lean period contributed to the hike in rice price.
Food inflation, which has been on a descent in the last few months, started to go up from February and increased 12 basis points to 8.96 percent last month, according to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics data.
As non-food inflation fell 11 basis points in March to 5.26 percent, Zahid Hussain, lead economist of World Bank, said the impact would not be that significant as its weight on the overall index is less.
He said it will be difficult to contain inflation with 7 percent, as targeted by the government.