The Consumer Price Index for February 2001 decreased by 0,23 units or 0,22% to 105,73 units compared to 105,96 in January 2001. This is mainly due to decreases in the prices of certain clothing and footwear items due to continued sale discounts and to a decrease in the price of potatoes. An increase was recorded in the price of certain fresh vegetables and pork.

2. The rate of increase of the Index for February 2001 compared to February 2000 was 2,40% while for the period of January-February 2001 the CPI recorded an increase of 1,92% compared to the corresponding period of 2000.

3. The evolution of the Index by category for the last twelve months was:

Categories of Goods and Services

2 0 0 1

Jan.

1.

Food & non-alcoholic beverages

2.

Alcoholic beverages & tobacco

3.

Clothing and footwear

89,35

4.

Housing, water, electricity and gas

5.

Furnishings, household equipment and supplies

6.

Health

112,58

7.

Transport

107,31

8.

Communication

88,94

9.

Recreation & cullture

99,10

10.

Education

111,70

11.

Restaurants & hotels

113,64

12.

Miscellaneous goods and services

General Index

105,96