Regions of La Araucanía and Los Lagos top construction growth list

SANTIAGO.- According to the Regional Construction Activity Index (INACOR) performed by the Research Department of the Chilean Construction Chamber (CChC), construction-related activity has increased in 9 of the nation’s 13 original regions during the first trimester of 2008. Growth figures were boosted by a major construction labor contract, requests for more building permits, and an increase in the demand for cement.

According to INACOR, which registered a total national growth rate of 5.5% over the last 12 months, the regions of La Araucanía (13.4%), Los Lagos (13.1%), Metropolitan (9.6%), Valaparaíso (8.3%) and O´Higgins (6.8%) topped the list for construction industry activity, reporting growth rates above the national average.  Meanwhile. Tarapacá (5.3%), Maule (5.2%), Atacama (3.9%) and Magallanes (2.2%), despite experiencing increases, reportedly fell short of the industry average.

The expansion indicated by INACOR is lower than what had been reported for the last three months of 2007, when the national growth rate was 6.5% and ten regions registered positive index variations.