The Department of Statistics and Research announces that the Consumer Price Index for April 1998 increased by 1,49 units or 1,23 per cent to 122,48 units compared to 120,99 in the previous month. This is mainly due to increases in the prices of clothing and footwear following the end of the season sales as well as to an increase in the price of cigarettes. Decreases have mainly been recorded in the prices of fresh fruit and electricity.

2. The average rate of increase of the Index for the period January-April 1998 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year was 2,06% while the Index of April 1998 compared to the Index of April 1997 showed an increase of 1,60%.

3. The average rate of increase of the Index for the last twelve months (i.e. May 1997 - April 1998) compared to the preceding twelve months (i.e. May 1996 - April 1997) was 3,12%.