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Bulgaria reels from record rise

Jaimie Kanwar

New figures reveal that Bulgaria's inflation has soared to unprecedented levels...

The National Statistics Institute (NSI) has revealed that has almost reached the 15% mark. March's record inflation registered at 14.2% - the highest in the last 8 years.

For the January-April period of 2008 the consumer goods' prices have gone up with 4. 2%, which is a
13. 6% increase compared to the same period of last year.

A spokesperson for the NSI explained: “Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products registered the highest price increase in April at 2.7%. Food prices went up 1. 3%. Clothing and shoes rose 1.6%.

“Housing expenses (rent, repairs, maintenance), water and electrical supply, natural gas, gasoline and diesel fuels also went up. Medication and hospital services retained their March levels, however medical and dental care services went up, respectively with 0.7% and 0.4”.