Less construction in Q1 this year

TIRANA, May 26 – During the first quarter 2009, Construction Cost Index reached 128.5 per cent, or 0.4 per cent less compared to the previous quarter, but still 0.9 percent higher compared to a year ago.
The “Direct Expenditures” index group decreased by 0.5 percent against the previous quarter. Within the “Direct expenditures” group the highest decrease of all subgroups was signed by the index price of “Material Expenditures” by 1.1 percent.
Within the “Material expenditures” subgroup one may mention the decrease prices of construction materials by 1.3 per cent. The index prices of “Basic salaries” fees and “Transport fees” increased respectively with 1.7 percent and 2.9 percent.
Constructing businessmen also complain they are finding difficulties to secure loans, credits from the banks which do not trust their profitability thus becoming it very difficult to get a loan.