Belarus’ inflation accelerating due to higher import prices, abolition of tax benefits - MART

<p> MINSK, Mar 12 - PrimePress. The acceleration of inflation in Belarus in February 2021 to 8.7% per annum (from 7.7% in January), including for socially important goods - 7.2% (5.9%), is due to the rise in prices of imported goods, as well as the abolition of tax benefits. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade of Belarus (MART) has posted a message to this effect in a commentary on the price situation on the consumer market in February 2021. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “In February, the highest annual rise in prices of imported goods was still observed for fish and fish products, oil and fats, cereals and fruit. Also, prices of medicines continued to rise (VAT exemptions were abolished in January) and, consequently, of medical services. On the whole, the rise in prices of medicines contributed to the annual rise in the prices of essential goods by about 2.1 p.p., oil and fats by 0.9 p.p., and fruit and vegetables by 0.8 p.p.,” reads the commentary. </p> <p>   </p> <p> MART said that in February 2021 imported fish and fish products went up by 1.6%, vegetable oil by 5.8% (practically not produced in the country), medicines by 5.1%, fruit and vegetable products by 7.1% and medical services by 2.5%. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “The year-on-year increase in constantly regulated prices and tariffs in February was 8.5%. In February (in addition to the increase in prices of medicines and tariffs for medical services) there was an increase of 10.2% in the cost of preschool services, as well as the price of motor fuel by 1.1%. Tariffs for housing and utilities services were raised by 8.6%,” says the commentary. End </p>

2021-03-13

Primepress