Private-commercial sector sets pace for new construction orders

New construction orders for private commercial projects underpinned a 6% rise in the volume of new orders for the year to April 2007 compared with the previous 12 months, according to figures from the Department of Trade & Industry. All figures are seasonally adjusted and at 2000 prices. Total orders were 11% higher than the same quarter a year earlier and 2% higher than the previous two months. Falls in output in other sectors were massively offset by a 26% year-on-year rise in the private commercial sector. The quarter to April was also 23% higher than the same quarter a year earlier and 16% higher than the previous three month. Private industrial orders continue to decline. There was a 5% year-on-year fall. Orders were also 14% down on the previous quarter and 9% down on the corresponding quarter a year earlier.