RAMALLAH, November 20, 2006 (WAFA) - Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said that building licenses decreased by 35.8% in the Third Quarter 2006 compared with the Second Quarter 200.

In its Statistical Report on Building Licenses for the third Quarter 2006, PCBS indicated that the total number of building licenses issued in the Remaining West Bank and Gaza Strip was 1,181.

"The total number of building licenses issued decreased by 35.8% in the third Quarter 2006 compared with the Second Quarter of 2006," says the report. "Also there was a decrease by 27.2% in the total number of licensed dwellings, and a decrease in the total licensed areas by 25.8% in the Third Quarter 2006 compared with the Second Quarter of 2006."

Furthermore, there was an increase by 86.5% in the number of boundary walls licenses compared with the Second Quarter of 2006.

According the report, the total number of building licenses issued were decreased by 57.6% compared with the Third Quarter of 1999 (before the Intifada), also decreased by 42.4% in the third Quarter of 2006 compared with the third Quarter of 2005, also decreased by 2.8%, compared with the third Quarter of 2004, and decreased by 25.5% in the third Quarter of 2006 compared with the third Quarter of 2003.

Finally the results showed that the number of boundary walls licenses decreased by 1.4%, in the Third Quarter of 2006 compared with the Third Quarter of 2005, 2004 and decreased by 17.9% compared with the same period of 2003.

A.D. (23:07 P) (21:07 GMT)