XN000022-1996-07-19 — Page 13

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The gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed at public sector sites amounted to $11.1 billion. Construction activities remained robust in the first quarter of 1996, with an increase of 40.4% in nominal terms and 31.9% when measured at constant (1990) market prices. The remarkable increase largely reflected the intensification of work on the major infrastructural projects.

The gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed at private sector sites totalled $9.1 billion, an increase of 4.1% over the same quarter last year. When measured at constant (1990) market prices, it was down by 5.9%.

The gross value of construction work, in nominal terms, performed by general contractors at locations other than construction sites amounted to $4.7 billion, 17.1% higher than in the first quarter of 1995.

When measured at constant (1990) market prices, the corresponding increase was 11.0%. Work in this category included minor new construction activities and renovation work at erected buildings and structures.

The gross value of construction activities, in nominal terms, performed by special trade contractors at locations other than construction sites, comprising mainly electrical and mechanical fitting work, totalled $2.6 billion, 21.3% higher than in the first quarter of 1995.

When measured at constant (1990) market prices, the corresponding increase was 19.4%.

Analysed by end-use, transport projects, which covered airport construction projects, accounted for the greatest portion of the gross value of construction work performed at construction sites.

The gross value of construction work performed for these projects was $6.5 billion, representing an increase of 46.4% over the first quarter of 1995.

Residential building projects (including commercial and residential composite buildings) represented the second largest category of construction site work. The gross value of construction work performed for these projects was $5.9 billion. This was 23% higher than in the first quarter of 1995.

Commercial building projects constituted the third largest category of construction site work. The gross value of construction work performed for these projects totalled $2.6 billion, 9.1% higher than in the first quarter of 1995.