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Minister calls on regions to help control inflation
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Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
T
rade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita has called on regional administrations to coordinate with relevant government institutions to control staple food prices in curbing inflation.
During his visit on Saturday to the East Nusa Tenggara capital of Kupang, the minister said the regional inflation control team (TPID) and food task forces needed to coordinate closely to monitor retail prices.
“I expect the East Nusa Tenggara regional government will contribute to deflation. It is particularly the the task of the TPID at both the provincial and regental levels [to curb inflation],” said Enggartiasto while monitoring prices at a Kupang market.
The minister visited several traditional markets in Kupang on Saturday, along with East Nusa Tenggara Governor Frans Lebu Raya.
Eanggartiasto said that food prices were generally under control in the market, although the prices of eggs and poultry had increased.
The minister said medium-quality rice cost Rp 8,900 (64 US cents) per kilogram at Kasih Naikoten Market, lower than the ceiling price of Rp 9,450 per kilogram. He stressed that the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) was able to meet the rice demand, as it had enough rice stocks to cover four months at the province's average consumption rate.
Meanwhile, the market price of eggs had increased on Saturday to Rp 54,000 per kilogram from Rp 52,000 per kilogram, while the price of poultry had increased to Rp 60,000 per kilogram from Rp 50,000 per kilogram.
Frans said the province still had to purchase eggs from other provinces. (bbn)
