RAMALLAH, March 14, 2012 (WAFA) - The overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Palestinian Territory increase by 0.12% in February compared to the previous month, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said Wednesday.

When compared to the same month last year, CPI  had increased by 2.81%, added the report.

Change in CPI for February can be traced back to changes in prices of several major expenditure groups when compared to the previous month, including an increase in prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco by 1.77% and an increase in prices of transportation by 0.61%.

Prices of furniture and household goods increased by 0.53%; prices of miscellaneous goods and services went up by 0.33%; and prices of restaurants, cafes and hotels increased by 0.32%.

Meanwhile, prices of textiles, clothing and footwear decreased 0.66% and prices of recreational, cultural goods and services also went down by 0.23%, added PCBS.

The report said prices increased in East Jerusalem by 0.29%, in the Gaza Strip by 0.19% and in the in the West Bank by 0.11%.

R.Q./M.S.