Turnover in the construction sector rose 6% in the first half of 2011 compared with the year-earlier period, central statistics agency CBS said on Monday.

Roads, tunnels and railway lines showed a rise of 13% and hospitals, houses and office blocks rose nearly 5%.
The outlook remains unclear, says the CBS. While the value of new housing and office buildings granted planning permission rose 25%, the value to architects of new projects dropped 10% in the first quarter.