Oct. 13, 2009 (Xinhua News Agency) -- Lao CPI up by 0.21 pct in September

HANOI, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) The Statistics Department of Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment said that the country's consumer price index (CPI) in September this year increased by 0. 21 percent month-on-month, the Lao newspaper Vientiane Times reported Tuesday.

The increase in the country's CPI was mainly driven by rising prices of food, clothing and household items, said the department.

Over one month, food prices in Laos rose by 0.51 percent. Higher rice price in Laos at this time is normal as Lao people stockpile rice until the harvesting season, said the department.

Figure for the clothing and footwear category increased by 0.17 percent month-on-month.

Month-on-month figures saw the household items category increased by 0.11 percent, mainly driven by higher furniture prices.

Although the Lao CPI rose month-on-month in September, the country's CPI saw the year-on-year deflation rate be recorded at 1.76 percent, said the department.