S\\\'pore CPI inflation climbs to 1.2pc in Mar

SINGAPORE, Apr 23 (Xinhua): Singapore's consumer price index (CPI) inflation rose to 1.2 per cent in March from the four- year low of 0.4 per cent in February, the Department of Statistics said Wednesday.
The rise, which was slightly higher than market estimates, was attributable to higher food and healthcare costs and a smaller year-on-year drop in the cost of private transport.
Transport costs fell 2.1 per cent from a year ago, but they were 0.8 per cent higher compared with that in February.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore's core inflation measure, which excludes accommodation and private road transport, rose 2 per cent year on year in March. The Ministry of Trade and Industry said domestic cost pressures, particularly those stemming from the tight labour market, are likely to remain the primary source of inflation.
Car prices are expected to add negligibly to inflation for the whole of 2014, while imputed rentals on owner-occupied accommodation will likely stabilise given the large supply of newly-completed housing units. The headline inflation for the full year is projected to come in at 1.5 to 2.5 per cent, while core inflation is expected to stay elevated at 2 to 3 per cent.