RAMALLAH, January 31, 2010 (WAFA)- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said the overall Construction Cost Index (CCI) in the West Bank (excluding those parts of Jerusalem which were annexed by Israel in 1967) reached 107.47 in December 2009 with an increase of 0.18% compared with  previous month, (December 2007=100), and The overall Road Cost Index (RCI) reached 106.17 in December 2009 with an increase of 0.30% compared with the previous month . ( December 2008=100 ).

Analysis of Construction Cost developments for December indicates changes in the following major construction inputs compared with previous month: Quarries and quarrying products + 0.50%; Cement products + 0.40%; Iron and steel + 0.17%; Cutting and shaping stones - 0.31%; Tiles and panels from ceramic - 0.20%; and Ceramic products - 0.15%.

Analysis of Road Cost developments for December indicates changes in the cost of the following major road inputs compared with previous month: Electric wires and cables + 3.72%; Quarries and quarrying products + 0.84%; Iron and steel + 0.72%; Road paints - 0.43%; Asphalt and bitumen mixture and its product  - 0.33%; and Plastic products - 0.29%.

PSCBS noted that data of Gaza Strip is not available, due to the closure of  PCBS’ offices in Gaza Strip since 15/04/2008.

It also noted that the difference in the percent change in major groups of Road and Construction Cost Index is due to the nature compositions of these major groups.