Azerbaijan, Baku, 14 April / Trend / Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev voiced his concern regarding the inflation growth in the country, which amounted to 16% in the first quarter of 2008. "The inflation growth causes serious concern and anxiety. We should endeavour to restrain this through practical measures," President Aliyev said at the Cabinet of Minister's meeting on 14 April, which discussed the social and economic development of Azerbaijan in the first quarter of 2008.
According to the President, it is well-known that the entire world is experiencing a rapid increase in prices. This year and at the beginning of last year, an increase in prices, especially for foodstuffs, occurred specifically in Europe, CIS, Asia and other continents for different objective reasons. The price hike affected Azerbaijan as well. "We should make every effort to prevent prices rise to their maximum by taking economic and administrative measures," Ilham Aliyev said.