Central Bank of Iran Puts Inflation at 9%

The average goods and services Consumer Price Index for urban areas in the 12 months ending March 20, which marks the end of the final month of the last Iranian year (Esfand), increased by 9% compared with last year’s corresponding period, according to the latest report released by the Central Bank of Iran.  CBI had put the inflation rate for the preceding month (Bahman), which ended February 18, at 8.7%. The overall CPI (using the Iranian year to March 2012 as the base year) stood at 262.8 in Esfand, indicating a 2% growth compared with the previous month. The index registered a year-on-year increase of 11.9% compared with the similar month of last year.  The report came after the Statistical Center of Iran put Esfand inflation at 6.8%.