Construction

75th Euroconstruct Conference predicts first improvements in 2014

More than a decade of growth at an average rate of over 10%

Projects totalling approximately 3.4 billion euro are in progress

400,000 new houses to be built by the end of the year

Estimates suggest 4% growth in the German ceramic tile market in the first half of 2004

In 2003 the NAR registered growth in all market segments

General world shared indices

Rate of fall of building investments expected to slow in 2003

In spite of the stagnant economy, the construction sector continues to perform well with an increase in new orders, housing starts and housing completions

Substantial nominal and real price increases in four-year period 1998-2002

27,000 new houses built in 2002 and expansion expected to continue until 2010

Fall in house sales in first quarter, slight increase in number of new houses in March

Americans increase investments in aesthetic and structural improvements to their homes

Civil engineering and non-residential private building are the worst-hit sectors

Public works is the only expanding sector, but forecasts for the future are positive

About 14,000 houses and apartments modernised and renovated in 2002

Germany and Italy have the oldest housing and Luxemburg homes have the largest amount of floor space

Building boom in December exceeds analysts' expectations

EBRD grants financing to Polish company Dom Development SA

Standard and Poors lowers the rating of a number of major building sector enterprises