Press release 31/03/2010

CONSTRUCTION COSTS INDEX (ICCE) FEBRUARY 2010

Construction costs in the Basque Country rose 0.2% in February 2010 compared to the previous month

Over the last twelve months (February 2010 compared to February 2009) building costs registered a 0.6% increase

The Construction Costs Index rose by 0.2% in the Basque Country in February 2010 with respect to the previous month, which meant that the year-on-year rate for that month increased by 0.6%, according to EUSTAT data.

In February 2010, labour costs remained unchanged (0.0%), whereas raw material costs rose by 0.2%.

In February, the costs of raw materials in the Building and Civil Works sub-sectors rose, with 0.2% and 0.4% increases in the costs of raw materials compared to the previous month in Building and Civil Works, respectively. However, there were differences in the performances of both sub-sectors during the year: building raw material costs fell by 0.4%, whereas those for Civil Works accumulated a 3.0% increase.

Oil By-products (29.6%) stood out among the prices of raw materials consumed by the sector that experienced the highest inflation rates over the last twelve months. Other sectors that registered price increases were Electrical Equipment (2.0%), Rubber and Plastic (1.2%) and Non-Metallic Industry (0.9%), among others. On the other hand, the annual prices (February 2010 compared to February 2009) of raw materials decreased in the following sectors: Metallurgy (-6.0%), Electricity and Gas (-5.9%), Timber Industry (-4.5%) and Metallic Articles (-2.5%).

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