(Kaieteur News) – President points to supermarket shopping, eating out and changing consumer habits as Guyanese struggle with soaring prices.

Guyanese are increasingly struggling to afford food, rent and other basic necessities in oil-rich Guyana, but President Irfaan Ali says changing lifestyles and consumer habits are also contributing to the country’s high cost of living.

Notably the President said he can cite hundreds of measures that have already been implemented by his administration to address the issue which persists beyond the control of government. He said for instance the global environment and imported inflation affects the country and consumers. Offering one example, the President explained that while the country produces crude oil, it imports all refined products such as gasoline, diesel and cooking gas, meaning these items are more expensive due to imported market costs.