Construction orders show double-digit growth

Construction orders in the 12 months to January 2006 rose by 8% compared with 2004, according to figures from the Department of Trade & Industry. There was a 16% rise in orders for the three months to January compared to the same period a year earlier. Orders in the three months to January 2006 rose by 6% compared to the previous three months. Private commercial orders saw strong growth. Orders in the three months to January 2006 were 45% higher than the same period a year earlier and 27% higher than the previous three months. Year-on-year growth was 8%. There was also strong growth in private industrial orders. The three months to January 2006 were 39% higher than the same period a year earlier and 41% higher than the previous three months. Year-on-year growth was 27%. Orders for public housing and housing associations rose by 33% compared to the previous quarter and by 65% compared to the same period the year before. Year-on-year growth was 13%. Comparisons in this sector are affected by large variations due to its relatively small size.