The total gross value of construction work performed by main contractors grew to $22.9 billion in the second quarter up 2.2% in nominal terms on the same period last year.

Provisional results of the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output released today by the Census & Statistics Department found that, after discounting price changes, the total gross value of construction work performed by main contractors fell 0.1% in real terms over the same period. Gross value in real terms is derived by deflating the corresponding nominal value with an appropriate price index to the price level in 2000.

Works at private sector sites totalled $7.4 billion, up 20.7% in nominal terms and 16.8% in real terms. The increase was mainly associated with progressive growth in works at some large commercial building sites and some sports and recreation projects.

The gross value of work at public sector sites fell 11.4% in nominal terms to $3.5 billion and feel 10.1% in real terms. The fall was mainly due to the completion of works on some large transport projects.

Other locations

The gross value of work performed by contractors at locations other than construction sites amounted to $12 billion, down 2.7% in nominal terms and down 6.1% in real terms.

Residential building projects accounted for the largest share in the gross value of work performed at construction sites. The gross value of work performed for these projects amounted to $4.1 billion, up 10.3% in nominal terms.

Commercial building projects constituted the second largest category of construction site work. The gross value of construction work performed for these projects totalled $2.9 billion, up 84.3% in nominal terms.

On a seasonally-adjusted basis, the gross value of construction work performed by main contractors grew 2.8% in nominal terms and 2.1% in real terms in the second quarter compared with the first quarter.

More detailed statistics are available in the Report on the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output, 2nd Quarter 2007, which can be downloaded (in PDF format) free here. For enquiries on the survey results call 2805 6426 or email building@censtatd.gov.hk.