XN000022-1985-06-26 — Page 47

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VERLA JNE 26, 1985

COMPARED WITH APRIL 1985, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 2.5 POINTS IN CPI(A) AND 2.1 POINTS IN CPI(B). THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES DECREASED DUE TO ADEQUATE SUPPLY. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF LIVE POULTRY AND SALT-WATER FISH ALSO WENT DOWN. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH FRUIT ROSE AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF SEASONAL FRUIT, MAINLY, PEARS AND WATER MELONS. THE EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.

THE INDEX FOR HOUSING WENT UP BY 0.4 POINT IN CPI(A) AND 0.5 POINT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE DWELLINGS.

HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES AND CHINESE WINES PUSHED UP THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) BY 1.9 POINTS IN CPI(A) AND 1.8 POINTS IN CPI(B).

THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR ROSE BY 1.0 POINT IN CPI(A) AND 0.5 POINT IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING,

THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS DECREASED BY 0.4 POINT IN CPI(A) AND 0.5 POINT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF LOWER PRICES OF TELEVISION SETS, SOUND EQUIPMENT AND ELECTRICAL CONSUMER GOODS.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY D.8 POINT IN CPI(A) AND 0.6 POINT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND HAIRDRESSING.

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

(FIGURES REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TO 2 DECIMAL PLACES.)

DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT+ FOR MAY 1985, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG, OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1904, 19TH FLOOR, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG= OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BASKERVILLE HOUSE, DUDPE-- STREET, HONG KONG, FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.

FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NO. 3-7216512.

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