KSH noted that although the number of new home completions rose by 14.6% to 8,358 last year, the figure was still very low, remaining well below pre-crisis levels.

The number of permits issued for non-residential buildings fell 5.6% from a year earlier to 5,033, representing an area of 2.441 million sqm, down by 9.1% as compared to the previous year. Industrial buildings accounted for 42% of the total area, while farm buildings made up 21% and commercial buildings accounted for just 7%.