RAMALLAH, March 31, 2010 (WAFA)- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) reported Wednesday that Construction Cost Index (CCI) increased by 0.26%, While Road Cost Index (RCI) Decreased by 0.29% in the West Bank (Excluding those parts of Jerusalem which were annexed by Israel in 1967) in February 2010 Compared with the Previous Month

In a press release PCBS said the overall Construction Cost Index (CCI) reached 108.00 in February 2010 with an increase of 0.26% compared with  previous month, (December 2007=100), While the overall Road Cost Index (RCI) reached 105.72 in February 2010 with a decrease of 0.29% compared with the previous month. (December 2008=100).

Analysis of Construction Cost developments for February indicates changes in the following major construction inputs compared with previous month:  Iron and steel + 2.01%; Tiles and panels from ceramic + 0.59%; Quarries and quarrying products + 0.46%; Cutting and shaping stones + 0.17%; Cement, lime & gypsum - 0.11%; Ceramic products - 0.08%; and Cement products  - 0.08%.

Analysis of Road Cost developments for February indicates changes in the cost of the following major road inputs compared with previous month: Asphalt and bitumen mixture and its product - 3.16%; Plastic products - 0.29%; Cement - 0.14%; Iron and steel + 2.26%; Quarries and quarrying products + 2.26%; and Electric wires and cables + 0.43%.

PCBS noted that Data of Gaza Strip is not available, due to the closure of  its offices in Gaza Strip since 15/04/2008, adding 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.