The Ministry of Finance has asked people’s committees of provinces and cities under central administration to not increase the prices of goods and public services in the first quarter of 2018.— Photo vneconomy.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Finance has asked people’s committees of provinces and cities under central administration to not increase the prices of goods and public services in the first quarter of 2018.

Under the ministry’s Official Letter 2323/BTC-QLG issued on March 1, the prices of goods and public services include that of healthcare, education and environmental hygiene services, car parking, sightseeing, accommodation and rent in markets and trading centres.

The official letter also requested the people’s committees to strengthen price management after Tết (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).

In the first two months of 2018, the consumer price index (CPI) increased by 2.9 per cent, according to the official letter.

To achieve the target of curbing inflation, with CPI growth rate set at 4 per cent for the entire year, the ministry asked the people’s committees to continue implementing solutions proposed in the official letter 240/CĐ-TTg, issued on February 21 by the Prime Minister.

The people’s committees are also required to direct the finance departments and relevant State offices to closely monitor the supply and demand of goods and services, the market as well as prices for stabilising the market, especially essential goods such as food.

The watch over the market will help authorities avoid unreasonable price hikes and misinformation about the market.

The finance ministry has also requested the people’s committees to improve the management and inspection of implementing current regulations on prices, especially prices of goods and services that have a high demand during post-Tết festivals, such as transport, food and drinks, sightseeing, tourism and parking service. — VNS