March Inflation Registers at 0.83%

COSTA Rica registered a monthlyinflation of 0.83% in March, the NationalStatistics and Census Institute (INEC)reported Monday.This brings inflation for the first threemonths of the year to 3.94%, greater thaninflation over the same period in 2004(3.49%) and 2003 (2.12%).The Central Bank has set its 2005 targetinflation at 10%, and bank presidentFrancisco de Paula Gutiérrez has saidcontrolling inflation is the bank’s top prioritythis year (TT, Jan. 21). Annual inflationin 2004 was 13.13%.