RAMALLAH, April 29, 2010 (WAFA)- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) reported Thursday that the overall Construction Cost Index (CCI) in the West Bank (Excluding those parts of Jerusalem which were annexed by Israel in 1967) reached 108.17 in March 2010 with an increase of 0.16% compared with  previous month, (December 2007=100),

It also stated that the overall Road Cost Index (RCI) reached 106.79 in March 2010 with an increase of 1.01% compared with the previous month.  ( December  2008=100 ), and the overall Water Networks Cost Index (WNCI) reached 101.08 in March 2010 with an increase of 1.04% compared with previous month, (January 2010=100), And the overall Sewage Networks Cost Index (SNCI) reached 100.92 in March 2010 with an increase of 0.82% compared with the previous month. (January 2010=100).

 Analysis of Construction Cost developments for March indicates changes in the following major construction inputs compared with previous month: Quarries and quarrying products + 0.49%; Iron and steel + 0.22%; Cement products + 0.20%; Cement, lime & gypsum + 0.13%; and Cutting and shaping stones - 0.24%.

Analysis of Road Cost developments for March indicates changes in the cost of the following major road inputs compared with previous month: Quarries and quarrying products + 2.81%; Asphalt and bitumen mixture and its product  + 1.67%; Electric wires and cables + 0.75%; Road paints + 0.48%; and Iron and steel + 0.26%.

Analysis of Water Networks Cost Index developments for March indicates changes in the cost of the following major Water Networks inputs compared with previous month:  Reservoirs + 0.34%; Construction work and paint + 1.12%; Excavation  + 0.74%; Concrete + 0.27%; Iron  + 0.26%; Water Networks + 1.36%; Steel Pipes + 1.60%; Asphalt, bitumen mixture and  its   products + 1.62%; Excavation + 0.74%; and Deface Materials + 0.71%.

Analysis of Sewage Networks Cost Index developments for March indicates changes in the cost of the following major Sewage Networks inputs compared with previous month: Fountains + 3.75%; Asphalt, bitumen mixture and  its   products + 1.62%; Excavations  + 0.74%; Deface Materials + 0.71%; and Plastic Pipes  - 1.89%.

PCBS 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, Construction, water networks, and sewage networks Cost Index is due to the nature compositions of these major groups.