The Department of Statistics and Research announces that the Consumer Price Index for May 1998 increased by 0.19 units or 0.16 per cent to 122,67 units compared to 122.48 in the previous month. This is mainly due to increases in the prices of certain fresh fruit and vegetables. Decreases were mainly recorded in the prices of mottor-cars and electricity.

2. The average rate of increase of the Index for the period January-May 1998 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year was 2,16% while the Index of May 1998 compared to the Index of May 1997 showed an increase of 2.53%.

3. The average rate of increase of the Index for the last twelve months (i.e. Jun 1997 - May 1998) compared to the preceding twelve months (i.e. June 1996 - May 1997) was 3,07%.