Inflation for First Semester Registers at 6.26%

and food costs, Costa Rica registered6.26% inflation during the first sixmonths of the year, the NationalStatistics and Census Institute (INEC)reported on Monday.Inflation registered at 1.07% duringthe month of June. Inflation for the firstsix months of 2003 was 4.34%. Inflationduring the past 12 months was reportedat 11.89%.In January, the Central Bank had setits inflation target at less than 9% (TT,March 26). The target rate will likely berecalculated when the Central Bankrevises its monetary policy for the secondhalf of the year. Annual inflation in2003 was 9.87%.