RIYADH: The general cost of living index for September increased by 5.9 percent, compared to the same month last year, according to an official report. The development was caused by increases in seven of the main groups that form the index. These groups include renovation, rent, fuel and water (9 percent); commodities and other services (7.9 percent); food and beverages (7.9 percent); home furniture (4.3 percent); transportation and telecommunication (1 percent); medical care (0.8 percent); and education and entertainment (0.8 percent). Textiles, clothes and shoes, another major group in the index, decreased by 0.9 percent. In other economic news, the general index of cost of living in September has reached 130.8, up from 130.2 in August. This reflects a surge in the index for September that reached 0.5, compared to that of August. This rise stems from the increases in four major groups that make up the index: food and beverages (0.9 percent); commodities and other services (0.6 percent); renovation, rents, fuel and water (0.5 percent) and house furniture (0.3 percent).
