RAMALLAH, March 14, 2010 (WAFA)by Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)The Overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Palestinian Territory with its 2004 base year (2004=100) reached 127.48 in February 2010, it decreased by 0.28% compared with January 2010, while increased by 4.88% compared with February 2009.

Analysis of consumer price developments for February indicates decreases in the following major expenditure groups: Food and soft drinks by 0.98%; Communications by 0.06%; and Miscellaneous goods and services by 0.05%.

At the same time, there were increases in other major expenditure groups including: Restaurants, cafes and hotels by 0.77%; Housing by 0.39%; Textiles, clothing and footwear by 0.37%; Transportation by 0.28%; Recreational, cultural goods & services by 0.27%, Alcoholic Beverages and tobacco by 0.17%; Furniture, household goods by 0.13%; and Medical care by 0.11%.

Palestinian Territory regions experienced different overall CPI developments as follows: Gaza Strip: -0.73%; Jerusalem J1(those parts of Jerusalem which were annexed by Israel in 1967): - 0.41% and West Bank (Excluding those parts of Jerusalem which were annexed by Israel in 1967): -0.26%.