HANOI: Vietnam's finance ministry said on Thursday (April 23) that the country's inflation could reach as high as 5.5% this year, driven mostly by the impact of the Iran war, state media reported.
The figure would be higher than the government's target to keep inflation at 4.5% for the year.
* The ministry said prices will continue to face upward pressure over the rest of the year due to the conflict, particularly the prices of imported materials and equipment, reported Thoi Bao Tai Chinh newspaper, which is run by the ministry.
* The ministry forecasts shipping costs will continue to rise, in tandem with rising fuel costs, according to the report.
* The government's moves to cut or suspend fuel taxes, together with ample domestic food supplies, will help ease inflationary pressure, the ministry said.
* Consumer prices rose 4.65% in March on the year, driven by a 10.81% surge in transport costs, according to government data. - Reuters
