Construction (west):
Improved business climate

In west German construction industry the business conditions improved slightly, but both in structural as well as civil engineering two thirds of the survey participants still view the situation as unsatisfactory. The equipment utilisation rate increased somewhat and at 59% was also above the previous-year level (57%). The range of order backlogs has also increased (2.3 months compared to 2.2 months both in last November and in December 2002). Correspondingly, the assessments of the order situation were again slightly less negative. The six-month outlook in west German construction has improved appreciably.