2010-11-23 14:05

SINGAPORE - Singapore's consumer price index (CPI) continued trending at a high of 3.5 percent in October compared to a year ago, latest data by the Singapore Department of Statistics (SDS) said on Tuesday.

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This is due to higher costs of transport, housing, food as well as "recreation and others", the SDS said.

The cost of transport leapt by as much as 9.5 percent as a result of higher prices of cars and petrol.

Housing cost moved up by 3.5 percent, owing to higher accommodation costs and electricity tariffs.

Food items cost 1.7 percent more, arising from dearer prepared meals, vegetables, rice and other cereals, fresh seafood as well as dairy products and eggs.

Higher holiday travel cost and salary for foreign maids raised the costs of "recreation & others" by 2.4 percent.

Compared to September, CPI in October rose by a marginal 0.5 percent.

Inflation continued to remain high for August at 3.3 percent and September at 3.7 percent.