DUSHANBE, February 18, 2013, Asia-Plus -- In January, prices and rates for services rendered to the population rose 1.7 percent with the prices increasing most significantly for air tickets – 22.3 percent, according to the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan.

Meanwhile, during the same period there was a reduction of prices of: liquefied gas – 3.2 percent and tickets for rail travel – 0.2 percent.

In January, prices of foodstuffs increased by 0.4 percent, including: wheat flour – 31 percent; milk – 25 percent; potatoes – 17 percent, beef – 13 percent; and lamb – 9 percent.

Non-foodstuffs reportedly rose in cost 0.2 percent last month.

Inflation for January this year stood at 0.5 percent, which is 0.1 percent higher than in January 2012.

The 2012 year-end inflation reportedly stood at 6.4 percent, which was 2.4 percent fewer than in 2011.

The Tajik authorities expect year-end inflation to stand at 9.0 percent in 2013.