Orders up

Construction orders for the three months to May this year were 13% higher than in the same period last year and 9% higher than in the previous three months. Infrastructure orders were significantly ahead - 26% more than last year and 23% up on the previous quarter. Private housing was ahead 15% on the year and 3% on the previous quarter. Private commercial orders were 10% ahead of a year ago 4% better than in the previous quarter.