Inflation in Kazakhstan slowed to 11.7% in Feb, as expected by analystsAnnual inflation in Kazakhstan came in at 11.7% in February compared with 12.2% in January; monthly inflation was at 1.1% vs. 1% a month earlier, according to the National Statistics Bureau of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms.Analysts polled by Interfax-Kazakhstan had forecast annual inflation in the range of 11.6%–12.2%. The closest estimates were provided by Zhannura Ashigali, director of the sovereign and regional ratings group at ACRA (11.6%–11.7%), and by the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan (11.6%–11.8%).Food prices rose 12.7% year on year in February, down from 12.9% in January, while non-food prices increased 11.6% (11.7% in January). Prices for paid services rose 10.8%, compared with 12% a month earlier, the Statistics Bureau said.The largest contributors to annual inflation were food and non-alcoholic beverages, which added 5.2 percentage points, followed by personal care, social protection, other goods and services, and clothing and footwear (one percentage point).On a monthly basis, food prices increased 1.3% in February, paid services rose 1%, and non-food prices gained 0.9%. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX