RAMALLAH, April 26, 2017 (WAFA) - Construction cost index (CCI) for residential buildings increased by 0.44% in the West Bank during March compared with February, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said on Wednesday.

This was due to increase in labor wages by 1.72% and rental of equipment by 1%, while prices of raw materials decreased by 0.19%.

CCI for non-residential buildings also increased by 0.34% in the West Bank during March due to increase in labor wages by 1.72% and rental of equipment by 0.91%, while the prices of raw materials decreased by 0.29%.

CCI for skeleton buildings also increased by 0.15% due to the increase in labor wages by 1.61% and rental of equipment by 0.46%, while the prices of raw materials decreased by 0.53%.

The PCBS said overall road cost index reached decreased by 0.36% in the West Bank during March compared with February due to decrease in operating costs of equipment and maintenance by 1.95%, rental of equipment by 0.49%, and prices of raw materials by 0.43%, while labor wages increased by 0.32%.

M.K.