Bethlehem - Ma'an - Palestine's Construction Cost Index (CCI) declined by 1.87% in September 2008, according to a study released Thursday by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

The overall CCI for the remaining West Bank* reached 114.34 in September, compared with 116.52 in August 2008, the study revealed.

The analysis of CCI developments for September indicates decreases in the following major construction costs:

-9.64% Building Iron

-1.04% Cement Products

-2.79% Aluminum and Metal Doors and Windows

-3.35% Tiles and Panels

-1.01% Wood Products



Meanwhile, increases registered for the following major groups:

+0.71% Quarrying Stone

+2.76% Metal Tools

+1.55% Wages and Labor Costs

+2.60% Equipment Rentals

*Remaining West Bank: The areas occupied in 1967, excluding East Jerusalem.