Dutch industry is set to lead the recovery with production growth of 5% by the end of this year, according to ING economists in their quarterly bulletin, quoted by news agency ANP.

But the building sector will continue to lag behind, with production expected to shrink 7.1% by the end of the year. The cold winter, which led to work being halted on some construction sites for two months, has added to the effect of the recession, the ING economists said.
Raw material and semi-manufacture suppliers will do particularly well as demand increases, the ING economists said. Nevertheless, production will still be 6% down on the pre-recession high point.