VIENTIANE, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Laos recorded an inflation rate of 24.98 percent in March, compared to 25.35 percent in February, the Lao Statistic Bureau said on Wednesday.
The weak kip is seen as one of main factors driving inflation, the agency said in a report.
In March, the highest price rise was recorded in the clothing and footwear sector, at 36.23 percent year-on-year, followed by the hotel and restaurant at 35.90 percent, and the medical care and medicines at 34.61 percent.
Other sectors driving inflation included the alcohol and tobacco with a price hike recorded at 26.42 percent year-on-year, the household goods at 26.39 percent, the food and non-alcoholic beverages at 23.61 percent, and the communications and transportation at 23.58 percent.
The Lao central bank is hoping to see inflation rate drop to single-digit figure by 2024. ■
