Construction orders show sharp decline

Orders for private-commercial and private-industrial projects both showed a sharp decline in the three months to April 2006 compared with the previous quarter, according to figures from the Department of Trade & Industry. Private-commercial orders fell by 17% between the two periods and private-industrial orders by 25%. Both sectors continue show year-on-year growth, with 12% for commercial and 32% for industrial. The long-term picture presented by the three months to April 2006 compared with the same period in 2005 is also positive. Private-industrial orders were 17% higher and private-commercial orders 3% higher.