rate recorded in 1996 according to the lastest figures from the Statistics Department.

The annual rate of inflation for the month of December was 1.9 percent, up from the 1.8 percent recorded in November.

By comparison the US rate of inflation in the year to December was 1.7 percent.

Within the main sectors of the Bermuda consumer price index the prices increased by 1.7 percent in the transport and vehicle sector.

There was a seasonal rise of 11.4 percent in air fares during December. The average cost of gasoline dropped by about one percent.

The cost of motorcycles and scooters declined slightly by 0.1 percent. Prices in the fuel and power sector increased on average 1.4 percent. The average price of propane gas fell by 0.3 percent.

Prices in the food sector rose by 0.2 percent. In the sector, prices of cabbage rose six percent, tomatoes by 4.5 percent, celery by 10.6 percent and tea bags by 3.9 percent and coffee by 2.2 percent.

The education, recreation and reading sector increased by 0.3 percent, while rents on average rose by 0.1 percent.

BUSINESS BUC