The key consumer price index remained flat in February from the same period a year ago as energy costs declined while some food prices rose, the government said Friday.
The core nationwide consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, stayed unchanged from the year-before level for the second straight month, standing at 100.4 against the base of 100 for 2005, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said in a preliminary report.
The result added to the view that the economy is still on the verge of deflation.