The surge in activity also put new construction orders in this sector 17% higher than the same period a year earlier.
However, the turnaround came too late to prevent private commercial orders in the year to February being 11% lower than the previous year.
Private industrial orders for the year were 5% higher than the previous year. Orders for the three months to February 2004 fell by 23% compared to the previous three months, but were 6% higher than the same period a year earlier.
The private housing market grew on all three measures. Orders for the three months to February 2004 were 9% higher than for the previous three months and 2% higher than the same period a year earlier. Year-on-year growth was 3%.
Public housing and housing association orders for the year were 18% higher than the previous year, but orders for the three months to February fell back by 6% compared to the previous three months. They were, however, 5% higher than the same period a year earlier. Comparisons in this sector are affected by large variations due to its relatively small size.
All figures are seasonally adjusted and at constant (2000) prices.
