MARCH inflation figures show 8 per cent year-on-year increases, leading economists to predict a slowdown in price rises. The biggest increases were in utilities, at 17.5 per cent, and general goods and services, at 12.4 per cent.
"March inflation figures show that the Slovak economy was able to balance the effects of the increases in regulated prices [for utilities] and tax changes over the course of three months," said analyst Pavol Ondriska from Slávia Capital.
He said inflation is now expected to slow down, as these price-increasing factors have already been taken into account.