BRUSSELS, June 19 - National Bank of Belgium Governor Guy Quaden was quoted on Tuesday as saying he is worried about the risks posed to inflation by price mark ups associated with the introduction of euro notes and coins.
La Libre Belgique newspaper quoted Quaden, who is a member of the European Central Bank's governing council, as saying the risks were "probably marginal" but that a number of retailers, from "corner shops to some large public companies" could or were already using the imminent euro changeover to mark up prices.
"I urge restraint on the part of companies and retailers and on consumers and public authorities to be vigilant," Quaden was quoted as saying.
"I will ask the ECB to permanently monitor the inflation risks and to be attentive of this factor in the various (euro zone) countries in the months to come," Quaden said. Euro notes and coins are due to be introduced in the 12 nation euro zone from January 1, 2002.