PCBCS: Consumer Price Index Up in July

The overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Palestinian Territory reached 132.32 in July compared to 131.83 in June, according to a report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) published Monday. The report said that the CPI increased by 0.38% compared to June and increased by 2.97% compared to July 2010. The change in the CPI for July is traced back to the changes in the prices of the major expenditure groups, such as restaurants, cafes, hotels, medical care, food and soft drinks, furniture and house hold goods compared to the previous month, said the report. The report said that CPI in the West Bank increased by 0.13% in July which is traced back to the changes in the prices of cloths and communications, despite of the decrease in transportations and restaurants prices. The CPI in Jerusalem increased by 0.52% in July and increased by 0.12% in the Gaza Strip due to changes in restaurants, cafes and other products prices, said the report.