Press release 29/12/2009

CONSTRUCTION COSTS INDEX (ICCE) NOVEMBER 2009

Construction costs in the Basque Country fell by 0.2% in November 2009 compared to the previous month

Construction costs have fallen by 1.1% over the last twelve months (November 2009 compared to November 2008)

The Construction Costs Index fell by 0.2% in the Basque Country in November 2009 with respect to the previous month, which means that the year-on-year rate for that month fell by 1.1%, according to data facilitated by EUSTAT.

In November 2009, labour costs remained unchanged (0.0%), whereas raw material costs fell by 0.3%, compared to the previous month.

The cost of raw materials fell by 2.0% and labour costs were up by 2.4% in year-on-year terms.

However, the cost of the raw materials of Building and Civil Works sub-sectors performed differently in quarter-on-quarter terms. Building posted a 0.4% decrease on the previous month and Civil Works raw materials remained unchanged (0.0%). There were also differences in the annual evolution of these two sub-sectors, although negative rates were registered in both cases: Building raw material costs fell by 1.9%, whereas those for Civil Works accumulated a 2.3% decrease.

The largest decreases in the prices of the raw materials used by the sector over the last twelve months included Metallurgy (-21.1%), Electricity and Gas (-15.3%), Timber Industry (-5.6%) and Chemical Industry (3.4%). On the other hand, the annual prices of raw materials recording the highest inflation (November 2009 on November 2008) were: Water (7.4%), Oil Refinery (2.9%), Non-metallic Industry (2.0%) and Furniture Production (1.8%).

For further information:

Basque Statistics Office C/ Donostia-San Sebastián, 1 01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz Tlf:+34-945-01 75 00 Fax:+34-945-01 75 01 E-mail: eustat@eustat.es Contact: Gerardo Pérez Aja T el:+34-945-01 75 06 F ax:+34-945-01 75 01 Online press releases: www.eustat.es Databank: www.eustat.eus/bancopx/spanish/indice.aspx