Taiwan's inflation stays above 2% for third straight month in JulyTaipei, Aug. 6 (CNA) Taiwan's consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.54 percent year-on-year in July, marking the third consecutive month in which inflation has remained above the government's 2 percent alert threshold, the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) said Thursday. The import price index (IPI), measured in New Taiwan dollar terms, climbed 28.19 percent, its highest level since the index was introduced 50 years ago. Tsai said the rise in the IPI was mainly driven by higher prices for mineral products, as well as machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment and related parts. Prices for mineral products increased because of higher crude oil import costs, although domestic fuel prices remain subject to government stabilization measures, she said. The export price index, measured in New Taiwan dollar terms, also rose to a record high, increasing 31.56 percent year-on-year, according to DGBAS data.