1. The total number of construction projects in the IBC Focus database increased in Q1 2009 as compared to the last quarter of 2008 by 24%. Have a look at the growth rates recorded by each construction segment:
2. According to the IBC Focus database, the investments realized in the projects under construction in the first quarter of the “crisis” year exceeded 2.6 billion Euros, the industrial segment being the most valuable at the moment:
3. 3. In the same period, IBC Focus offered contact information to 646 active construction sites in Romania.
4. 4. Some of the biggest commercial banks in the country have already announced that in the next 3 months they will start relaxing loan conditions in order to enhance lending to the population. Reducing the interest rates that are practiced at present depends largely on the National Central Bank’s decision to reduce the key interest rate (of 10%) in the session that will take place on the 6th of May. Financial analysts forecast that this key interest will be reduced at least 0.25% at that date.
5. 5. In April 2009 the economic sentiment in Romania, as well as in the EU rebounded after a down confidence degree in March, with 1.2 points. Out of the 5 indices that form this indicator construction rose by 4 points, consumer by 2 points and retail-trade by 10 points, while services and industry decreased by 3 points each.
Source: Eurostat, banks, IBC Focus
