RAMALLAH, February 24, 2011 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said in a report published Thursday that total number of building permits issued increased by 4.8% in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2010.

It said the number increased by 2.0% when compared to the fourth quarter of 2009.

Total number of licensed dwellings increased by 27.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2009, and increased by 10.7% compared to the third quarter of 2010, said the PCBS.

The total licensed areas increased by 16.8 %compared to the fourth quarter of 2009, and it increased by 6.7% compared to the third quarter of 2010.

The PCBS said total number of building licenses in the West Bank was 1,518. Of these, 843 were for new buildings, 291 for additions to licensed buildings, 63 for additions and existing parts, 287 for existing buildings and 34 licenses for existing extensions.

Total area licensed was 693,500 square meters, distributed into 573,100 square meters for new areas and 120,400 square meters for existing areas. The total number of licensed dwellings was 2,770 units, of which 2,127 were new dwelling units and 643 were existing dwelling units.

The survey was done only in the West Bank without the Gaza Strip or East Jerusalem.

M.A.