Inflation in manufactured goods touches 6.46 pc

MUMBAI: The Government on Friday expressed concern over rising prices of manufactured goods, saying the inflation in the segment has equalled the overall inflation of 6.46 per cent this week.

"For the past three weeks, the overall inflation has been the same at 6.46 per cent. But the increase in prices of manufactured goods has caught up with the overall inflation rate, which is a matter of concern," Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Secretary Ajay Dua told reporters here.

There is a slight increase in prices of non-ferrous items like steel, cement, paper and leather products, he said. Increase in rail freight and coal costs have also pushed up the prices, he said.

On Foreign Direct Investment, Dua said FDI inflows are expected to touch $17.5 billion in 2006-07 as compared to $7.2 billion in the last fiscal.