Cyprus building permits rise 2.3% in first half

Building permits issued rose by 2.3% over the year earlier in January – June 2010 to 4,619, according to the Statistical Service.
However, the total value of these permits decreased by 4.2% and the total area decreased by 0.4%.
Moreover, the number of dwelling units authorised dropped by 7.4%.
In June alone the number of building permits authorised by the municipal authorities and the district administration offices reached 792.
The total value of these permits reached EUR 225.3 mln and the total area 255 thousand square metres.
These building permits provide for the construction of 1,193 dwelling units.
Building permits constitute a leading indicator of future activity in the construction sector.