Sept inflation 1.6% in Uzbekistan, Jan-Sept inflation 0.3%

Interfax November 2 Inflation was 1.6% in Uzbekistan in September (1.3% in August), and 0.3% since the start of the year, the country's state statistics committee reported. Food prices rose 2.3% in September (0.9% in August), non-food prices 0.2% (0.6%) service prices 0.8% (3.6%). Inflation in Uzbekistan was 3.8% in 2003 against 21.6% in 2002. In September of 2003, consumer prices rose 0.4%. January-September brought deflation of 0.3% last year. Parliament has set an inflation ceiling of 6%-8% for 2004.