Facing Inflation In Ramadan And WSBK, TPID NTB Will Hold Market Operations

Regional Secretary (Sekda) of NTB Lalu Gita Ariadi. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

The Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID) of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is aware of the high potential for inflation in the month of Ramadan and when the World Superbike (WSBK) event is held at the Mandalika Circuit in March 2023.

The Regional Secretary (Sekda) of NTB Lalu Gita Ariadi said, although it is still far away from the momentum of religious holidays, demand for goods is always increasing.

"In addition to fasting Ramadan, there is also the implementation of Nyepi Day for Hindus in March, so that the supply or distribution of goods and foodstuffs for the community must be ensured to be smooth and stable," he said, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, January 11.

According to the Regional Secretary, the momentum of big days is usually always prone to an increase in prices along with high demand, but supply is not balanced.

"This is prone, it must be anticipated. Usually in December there is a slow down, in the following days it can be vulnerable. We will immediately face the momentum that is prone to inflation," said Lalu Gita Ariadi.

The head of the NTB Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID) said that extreme weather also often contributes to regional inflation because it affects food production. However, it is hoped that this extreme weather will not be sustainable, so that the inflation rate can be maintained properly.

Therefore, one of the efforts to reduce the inflation rate, he said, was to carry out market operations for basic necessities such as rice.

"Bulog Divre NTB is also considered routinely conducting market operations so that rice prices are stable and do not contribute to inflation," he said.

TPID is wary of inflation in March - April 2023 due to the high inflation period in the Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023 periods, where inflation is combined with two cities (Matram City and Bima City) at 6.23 percent, or an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 105.97 in December 2021 to 112.57 in December 2022. This inflation rate is higher than the national inflation rate which was recorded at 5.51 percent.