RAMALLAH, February 28, 2011 (WAFA) – Construction, road and water network costs went up in January 2011 compared to December of the previous year, said the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) Monday.

Overall construction cost index in the West Bank reached 111.55 in January with an increase of 0.87% compared with December 2010, said the PCBS.

In addition, overall road cost index reached 109.02 with an increase of 0.62%, overall water networks cost index reached 105.38 with an increase of 0.98%, and overall sewage networks cost index reached 102.82 with an increase of 0.20%, for the same period.

The PCBS said the rise was due to an increase in the cost of materials used such as iron and steel, which increased by over 5%. Cement, stones, tiles, and other material increased at a rate not exceeding 1% in most cases.

M.A./F.J.