XN000022-1988-03-23 — Page 11

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1988

THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, FRESH-WATER FISH, LIVE POULTRY AND SALT-WATER FISH AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, AND IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.

THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT INCREASED BY 0.8 PER CENT IN CPI (A) AND BY 1.0 PER CENT IN CPI (B) DUE ΤΟ HIGHER CHARGES FOR TOWNOAS.

THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR DECREASED BY 2.1 PER CENT IN CP1 (A) AND BY 2.5 PER CENT IN CPI (B) AS A RESULT OF LOWER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 2.4 PER CENT IN CPI (A) AND BY 2.8 PER CENT IN CPI (B) DUE TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING, PACKAGE TOURS AND CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN ONE DECIMAL PLACE.

MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR FEBRUARY 1988, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3.50 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES MAY BE MADE TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8235089.

THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 117.4 IN FEBRUARY 1988, UP BY 0.9 PER CENT OVER JANUARY 1988 AND UP BY 7.7 PER CENT OVER FEBRUARY 1987.

THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT $10,000-$24,999 A MONTH DURING THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE

SURVEY.

HANG

FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.

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