0.8% INFLATION RECORDED IN ARMENIA IN MARCH, COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY

ARKA
Apr 2, 2010

YEREVAN, April 2. /ARKA/. Armenia recorded 0.8% inflation in March,
compared with February, National Statistical Service reports.

Prices for foods, cigarettes and spirits rose 0.9%, those for
non-foods climbed 0.8% and for services 0.8% in March, compared with
the previous month.

Index of consumer prices was 102.9% in March 2010, compared with
December 2009.

Index of food, tobacco and spirit prices was 104.3% and non-foods
101.1% and services 101.3%. Consumer price index in March 2010 compared
with March 2009 was recorded at 108.8%

Food, tobacco and spirit prices rose 6.3% in March 2010, compared
with the same month a year earlier, non-food prices leapt 14.3%
and services 10.6%.

According to the statistical report, index of consumer prices was
129.4% in March 2010, compared with 2005.

Foods, spirits and cigarettes became more expensive than in 2005 by
28%, non-foods by 22% and services by 36%.

The national statistical service says that in March compared with
February consumer prices rose 0.3% to 4.1%. The highest price hike
was reported in Talin.

In Yerevan, prices went 0.7% up. In the 2010 state budget, inflation
is planned at 4% (±1.5%).