Inflation dips slightly, still highest in the eurozone

Steven Brockwell

Jul 15th 2009, 20:43

could it that all the sales going on at the moment because no one is selling, that caused our so call un real inflation rate to drop ????

P Attard

Jul 15th 2009, 18:42

As a result of the port reform, prices should have come down years ago? Which prices came down? The introduction of the euro should have brought many prices down since there is no longer uncertainty in the exchange rate when we buy from the eurozone. The deep fall of sterling should have made imports from Britain much cheaper. The deep fall of the dollar should have brought down prices of imports paid in dollars. Everybody knows, including the next door donkey (I love donkeys), that restaurant prices went much higher following the introduction of the euro (not only through rounding up) and a bumper tourism year 2008. If VAT were to be reduced for restaurants and hotels, who will gain? Definitely not the customers. Compare prices of two years ago with today's. The customer always suffers.

R Agius

Jul 15th 2009, 15:54

@Harry Biscombe
Get real, please do! You say that prices have doubled ie the cost of a steak went from €8 to €16? A room went from say €80 to €160 for the same room? Bus fares went from 21cents to 42 cents? Be specific and enlighten us as to which prices doubled. Are you sure you are not comparing the price in Lm to the price in €.

There is no doubt that the inflation rate in Malta is high - the extent to which this is Govt induced and which is 'trade induced' is not clear. What is certain is that restaurant prices are much too high considering the quality of the fare and value compared to say Southern France. Govt can do so much but I have little doubt that the hotel and restaurant business, in general, are a contributing factor to the rising inflation in our country.

Alexander Morana

Jul 15th 2009, 15:54

Oh the cries and moans of the people,
Hear me Gonzi thou shall not raise the taxes as Brussels hast told you to do so. Whatever has happened of the 800 million Euros you boasted not long ago? Not a word of it before the EP elections because they are all gone!
You will not see a stinking penny if you do not obey. Now go and balance those books which you have cooked for so long.

Hanny Biscombe

Jul 15th 2009, 15:10

Yes i can quite believe that, we visit Malta on a regular bases from mainland europe and this year regardless of the recession prices in Malta and Gozo seemed for some reason on another doubled.. just doesn't make sence, if it prolongs at this highest level out of all the eurozone, we have no alternative but to seek another holiday destination and would also suggest the same to our friends back home., sorry but getting rich quick is not the answer in the long run. Mv.Hanny Biscombe

r ferriggi

Jul 15th 2009, 13:29

there are the things that government should concentrate upon,,,

focus on the problems ( and try to solve them.)

the government has been elected TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS.

it has the OBLIGATION to tackle them.

inflation, tourism, road network, quality of service, responsibility, EU standards, transportation, power solution, pollution ..... and many more.

and forget about waht the opposition is doing and saying or critisizing !! this is not important in the publics eyes, at least those who are REALLY interested in the country's welfare.

the people want ACTION from who IS IN POWER.

mario gellel

Jul 15th 2009, 13:08

We do not need Joe Muscat to put us at the top of the EU, we got L.Gonzi to do it. But only in the inflation category part. Well done Gonzipn?.?.?.?

Massimo Borg

Jul 15th 2009, 12:18

Well-said Mr Finch. I couldn´t have put it better myself.

Chris Finch

Jul 15th 2009, 11:57

Tourism figures are dropping through the floor, so instead of lowering prices to encourage more people to visit the islands or eat in their restaurants, hoteliers and restaurants put their prices UP in order to fleece every last cent out of those that are here.
Good work! that is one sure way to make sure they DO NOT RETURN and let all their friends know how expensive Malta is.
It is cheaper to go to Cuba for 2 weeks on an all inclusive deal in a real 4* hotel from the UK than it is to come to Malta for a week on half board in a Malta class 4* (rest of world barely 3*) hotel.
Do the maths, Caribbean paradise or Mediterranean building site.