02/14/2020 - 12:02
- Clarín.com
- Politics
The head of Indec, Marco Lavagna, asked for "caution" in view of the 2.3% rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) registered during January, a figure lower than expected, and anticipated what could happen with inflation in the coming months
"When you compare the data for January with the pace of inflation in recent months, it is auspicious. But it is still high, so I would be very cautious . There is still a lot of work to be done and you have to be calm," Lavagna said this Friday morning, in statements to several radios.
According to the economist, January inflation was lower than expected because there were some factors, "such as the freezing of rates, which threw it down."
"Food and everything related to tourism, on the other hand, went up. There are many combined effects that must be controlled. That is why we must be very cautious when reading the index," he added.
Lavagna warned that there could be a jump in March , since "you generally have seasonal effects from going back to school."
"The tools are more expensive. Perhaps that is where the Government works to make a basket of supplies. That is why it is key to know how the tariffs will be defrosted. The idea is that the impacts are not so strong, so you have to seek a balance to make agreements on food while defrosting rates, "he added.
And he concluded, in that line: "The idea is always to maintain a descending path. When that is achieved for several consecutive months we can affirm that we have a downward trend."
In addition, Lavagna cleared doubts regarding the reliability of the measurement , by ensuring that the technical teams "are the same that had been working in the administration" of Mauricio Macri.
"I went out to talk because it seemed to me that in the discussion that had been put together, we had to put on my face. Our idea is that Indec is as open as possible. I always said it: I found an Indec working, with solid equipment , for what corresponded to keep them, "said Lavagna, who recalled that it does not belong to the political space of Alberto Fernández.
And he closed: "I listened to some political leaders of the opposition who came out to support the indicator. If anyone has doubts, I would love it to come like this, we show you what we do, with the greatest transparency. To have a quality leap we need support of the entire political sector. "