Construction (east):
Price pressure reduced

In eastern Germany the business situation also remained at the unsatisfactory level of February, with an improvement in civil engineering but a worsening in building construction. With more construction output, equipment utilisation improved (69%). Order backlogs also increased (2.2 production months). In the business expectations pessimism remained, however. The share of firms that expect staff reductions (balance of 24%) decreased further; four months ago it was twice as large. In western Germany more contractors expect to dismiss staff (balance of 45%).