The Construction Sector, which is considered an influential factor in the economy for its close link and direct impact on several economic activities by 7.89 %, has contributed to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2014. Dubai Statistics Center (DSC) has calculated the Construction Material Prices Indictor (CMPI) during 2014 by monitoring the materials prices within the main groups of the Indictor compared to the same period of 2013 and it was noticed that there is a change in the Materials prices variably.
Cement
Lime prices increased by 1.79%, while Gypsum prices decreased by 1.62%, followed by Portland Cement prices by 1.42%, white cement prices by 0.12% and Sulphate Resisting Cement prices by 0.04%.
Blocks
The prices average indictor of Blocks prices increased, where Solid Cement Blocks (6CM) prices increased by 8.50%, followed by Solid Cement Blocks (4CM) prices by 6.50% and Solid Cement Blocks (8CM) prices by 4.68%.
Hollow Cement Blocks (4CM) prices also increased by 1.86%, as well as Hollow Cement Blocks (6CM) increased by 1.74%, and Hollow Cement Blocks (8CM) by 1.25%.
Concrete
The Concrete Group Indictor recorded that Ready Mix/ Sulphate Resisting Concrete prices increased by 3.62%, while Ready Mix/Portland Cement prices increased by 3.61%.
Steel
Steel Network of floor (7 MM) prices increased by 1.54%. By monitoring the Materials prices within the Steel Group, it was noticed that there is a drop in prices average of most relevant Materials, Steel Network of floor (6 MM) prices decreased by 8.20%, followed by Steel Network of floor (8 MM) prices by 6.26%, Steel Bars (6 – 8 MM) prices by 3.36% and Steel Bars (10 – 25 MM) prices by 1.47%.
Fourth Quarter Indictor
By monitoring the Material prices within the Main Groups of CMPI in the Fourth Quarter Indictor of 2014, compared to the same period of 2013, it was noticed that there is a change in the Material prices variably.
Cement
Upon studying the Indictor, it was noticed that Lime prices increased by 3.56%, Gypsum prices by 1.79%, Portland Cement prices by 1.73% and Sulphate Resisting Cement prices by 1.29%, while White Cement prices decreased by 0.88%.
Gravel and Sand
The Gravel and Sand Group Indictor recorded that Red Sand prices increased by 4.41%, Crushed Conakry Gravel (3/16 inch) prices increased by 3.89%, Black Sand prices by 1.45%. Each Crushed Conakry Gravel (3/4 inch) and Crushed Conakry Gravel (3/8 inch) prices increased by at equal rate of 1.39% and White Sand increased by 0.45%.
Blocks
The Blocks Group Indictor recorded that Solid Cement Blocks (6 CM) increased by 3.59%, Solid Cement Blocks (4 CM) by 3.59% and Solid Cement Blocks (8 CM) by 1%; while Hollow Cement Blocks (8 CM) decreased by 1.22% and Hollow Cement Blocks (6 CM) by 0.52%; moreover, Hollow Cement Blocks (4CM) was stabilized at their previous levels.
Concrete
The concrete group indictor also increased and ready mix/Portland concrete prices increased by 7.64% and Ready Mix/ Sulphate Resisting Cement prices by 7.47%.
Steel
The Steel Group Indictor recorded that Steel Network of floor (7 MM) prices increased by 3.42% and Steel Bars (10 – 25 MM) prices by 1.80%. While Steel Network of floor (6 MM) prices decreased by 4.94%, Steel Network of floor (8 MM) prices increased by 1.58% and Steel Bars (6 – 8 MM) prices by 0.74%.
The Third and Fourth Quarter
Upon studying CMPI for the Fourth Quarter of 2014 compared to the Third Quarter of 2014, it was noticed that there is a change in the material prices variably as follows:
Cement
Upon studying the indictor, it was noticed that lime prices increased by 3.56%, white cement prices by 0.28%; meanwhile, gypsum prices decreased by 1.30% and the Sulphate Resisting and Portland Cement was stabilized at their previous levels.
Gravel and Sand
By monitoring Gravel and Sand Group, it was shown that Red Sand prices increased by 2.16%, Crushed Conakry Gravel (3/16 inch) prices by 0.54%, while the rest of relevant Materials were stabilized at their previous levels.
Blocks
Blocks Group indictor increased, Solid Cement Blocks (6 CM) prices increased by 0.63%, Hollow Cement Blocks (4 CM) prices by 0.58%, Solid Cement Blocks (4 CM) prices by 0.56%, Hollow Cement Blocks (6 CM) prices by 0.53%, Hollow Cement Blocks (8 CM) prices by 0.50% and Solid Cement Blocks (8 CM) prices by 0.40%.
Concrete
Concrete Group Indictor increased, Ready-Mix/Portland Concrete prices were increased by 1.94% and Ready-Mix/ Sulphate Resisting Concrete prices by 1.90%.
Steel
Steel Group Indictor recorded that Steel Network of floor (7 MM) prices increased by 0.11%; while Steel Network of floor (6 MM) prices decreased by 3.51%, Steel Network of floor (8 MM) prices by 2.30%, Steel Bars (10 – 25 MM) prices by 1.40% and Steel Bars (6– 8MM) prices by 1.22%.
Benefits
CMPI achieves many benefits and targets concerning decision-makers, economic policy makers, businessmen and national accounts officers. DSC has calculated the CMPI by monitoring prices of the basic materials integrated within the main construction process including five sub-groups namely: Cement, Gravel and Sand, Blocks, Concrete and Steel.