Inflation dipped in January despite violence

Inflation said to have dipped lower last month despite political unrest because of a lower inflation rate of the nonfood items and falling prices of oil in global market.

For January the inflation was 6.04 percent, what was 6.11 percent in December last year, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said while disclosing inflation data today.

However, the food items took the blow of the nonstop blockade, hartals and agitation of the BNP-led 20-party alliance with 6.07 percent inflation standing in January, what was 5.86 percent in December last year.

“Food inflation arose because of political instability while Non-food inflation declined due to falling oil prices on the global markets,” the minister said.

Inflation for nonfood items dipped to 6.01 percent in January from 6.48 percent a month ago.