HCM City announces CPI growth   Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) Ho Chi Minh City recorded a rise in its Consumption Price Index (CPI) in September 2014, the municipal Statistics Office revealed on September 22. The figure increased by 1.13 percent compared to the previous month, and the office reported a year-on-year increase of 3.16 percent. According to the office, prices for educational goods and services increased the most compared to August, up by more than 19 percent, as consumers stocked up on school supplies for the new academic year. Equipment and household items increased by 0.39 percent; apparel and footwear by 0.3 percent and beverages and tobacco by 0.14. A decrease was recorded for transport (2.03 percent); housing, electricity, water, and building materials (0.55 percent); restaurants and services (0.20 percent); and pharmaceuticals and healthcare services (0.04 percent). In contrast to the CPI, the price of gold and the USD exchange rate fell by 0.93 and 0.03 percent, respectively.-VNA