DTI reports higher new-construction orders

New construction orders in the year to August 2004 rose by 2% compared to the previous 12-month period, according to figures from the Department of Trade & Industry — despite a 25% slump in infrastructure orders for the period. The private-commercial sector enjoyed long-term growth, with a 12% year-on-year rise and 20% higher orders for the three months to August compared with the same period a year earlier. All figures are seasonally adjusted and in constant (2000) prices.