MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina’s construction activity in January increased 11.7% over a year ago

Tower cranes in Buenos Aires city horizon

Argentina's construction activity grew at a slower pace in January, with many builders away on summer vacation, according to the national statistics agency, Indec.

Construction activity in January increased a seasonally adjusted 11.7% compared with January 2010, and was up 0.9% from December, Indec reported this week.

Construction activity expanded 20.7% on the year in December.

The following annual increases were observed in construction materials in January: cement 14.5%, asphalt 6.3%, bricks 14.6%, rebar 9.2%, and paint 1.2%. The sale of floor materials and ceramic tiles dropped 9.6%.

Argentina's construction sector, like manufacturing, has benefited from an economy that expanded about 9% last year.