24/02/2004 08:35
According to the latest survey carried out by the Finance Ministry in January 2004, the forecasts of the construction companies on the prospects of the construction sector have deteriorated.
Sales
According to the survey, 10% of the businesses said that operations increased for January, while the vast majority (83%) stated that operations fluctuated to the same levels. On the other hand, only 7% said that the volume of operations dropped. The difference between the positive and the negative responses fell to 3 points against 48 in December 2003.
Orders
88% of the respondents stated that orders have remained at the same levels, 8% said that they exceed the standard level, while 4% said that they fell below the standard levels. The difference between the positive and the negative responses fell to 4 points against 54 in December 2003.
Prices
As regards to prices, 82% anticipate that they will remain at the same levels and 18% that will continue to increase. No respondent estimates that prices will fall. The difference of 18 points, however, is significantly lower than this recorded in the previous survey (48 points).
Employment
95% of the respondents declared that they do not expect a staff increase for the next three months, whereas 5% anticipate the opposite. None of the businesses expect that there will be a decline in employment. The difference between the positive and the negative responses dropped to 5 points against 27 in December 2003.
Secured operations for the future
Construction companies stated that although they are less optimistic for the future, they have secured operations for the next 10 months. The average of these operations in January has been the highest ever.
Sales
According to the survey, 10% of the businesses said that operations increased for January, while the vast majority (83%) stated that operations fluctuated to the same levels. On the other hand, only 7% said that the volume of operations dropped. The difference between the positive and the negative responses fell to 3 points against 48 in December 2003.
Orders
88% of the respondents stated that orders have remained at the same levels, 8% said that they exceed the standard level, while 4% said that they fell below the standard levels. The difference between the positive and the negative responses fell to 4 points against 54 in December 2003.
Prices
As regards to prices, 82% anticipate that they will remain at the same levels and 18% that will continue to increase. No respondent estimates that prices will fall. The difference of 18 points, however, is significantly lower than this recorded in the previous survey (48 points).
Employment
95% of the respondents declared that they do not expect a staff increase for the next three months, whereas 5% anticipate the opposite. None of the businesses expect that there will be a decline in employment. The difference between the positive and the negative responses dropped to 5 points against 27 in December 2003.
Secured operations for the future
Construction companies stated that although they are less optimistic for the future, they have secured operations for the next 10 months. The average of these operations in January has been the highest ever.
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