Statistics Committee posts inflation figures

The inflation rate was 0.1 percent in Moscow in August, the StateStatistics Committee reported. Consumer good prices have increased by 11.6percent in Moscow since the beginning of the year. In St. Petersburgconsumer good prices decreased by 0.5 percent last month, however, theyhave advanced by 10.2 percent since the beginning of 2002. In Russia theinflation rate was 0.1 percent last month and 9.9 percent in the firsteight months of this year.The cost of the minimum set of food products amounted to 1,244 rubles($39.42) in Moscow at the end of August. It dropped by 2.6 percent lastmonth and has gained 9 percent since the beginning of the year 2002. In St.Petersburg it dropped by 4.6 percent in August and has added 8 percentsince the beginning of 2002 and amounted to 1,047 rubles ($33.17) at theend of last month. In Russia the average cost of the minimum set of foodproducts was 955.1 rubles ($30.26) at the end of August..