PRICE OF ZAGREB CONSUMER GOODS BASKET IN SEPTEMBER 4.5% HIGHER

ZAGREB, Oct 16 (Hina) - The price of the consumer goods basket in Zagreb in September increased by 4.5 percent in relation to August, totalling 4,984 kuna (around EUR673.51), a union commissioner said on Wednesday. #L# The living costs of a four-member family have increased due to the start of the school year, increased prices of electricity, gas and local transport, and previously increased costs of heating and garbage removal, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH) commissioner for Zagreb, Damir Gasparovic, said. Considering that living costs on the state level increased in September by a mere 0.4 percent, Gasparovic believes that Zagreb residents have suffered a "major economic blow". The average salary in Zagreb in August totalled 4,315 kuna (around EUR583), while the salary on the state level amounted to 3,722 kuna (around EUR503). Retail prices in Zagreb went up by 3.7 percent in September, living costs increased by 2.7 percent while salaries saw a real increase of 2.6 percent. Gasparovic called on the city authorities to re-examine their decisions on increased utility charges, particularly in light of the fact that after the latest cancellation of a nine-percent increase in electricity prices, municipal utility companies would have enough money to cover increased costs. He expressed satisfaction with industrial growth in the capital, which in the first eight months was 6.3 percent, as well as with doubled investments in economy. (hina) rml sb