THE services producer price index (SPPI) increased 3.3% in the fourth quarter (4Q) of 2022 compared to the same quarter of the preceding year, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said.

In a statement, chief statistician Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the SPPI averaged 114.3 points in Q4, with most subsectors higher this quarter, particularly in accommodation and food and beverage services (8%), due to the increase in restaurants and mobile food services (9.5%).

“The arts, entertainment and recreation subsector increased 5.3% owing to gambling and betting (6.3%).

“Meanwhile, transport increased 5.3% due to passenger air transport (18.9%),” he said.

Uzir also said other subsectors recording an increase were education (1.1%), professional (0.5%) and health (0.3%).

Nevertheless, he said the index of real estate, and information and communication remained unchanged.

“Quarter on quarter, the SPPI rose 0.4% compared to 1.7% the previous quarter.

“This was due to the accommodation and food and beverage services (1.6%), transport (1.1%), professional (0.2%) and education (0.1%) indices,” he said.

Meanwhile, arts, entertainment and recreation, and real estate indices recorded decreases of 4.2% and 0.1% respectively.

Overall for the year 2022, Mohd Uzir said SPPI increased 2.1% compared to 0.3% recorded in 2021 mainly due to accommodation and food & beverage services (5.4%); arts, entertainment and recreation (4.3%); and transport (3%). – Bernama, February 7, 2023.