It is true that the construction sector is showing no signs of weakness. As the President of AICCOPN emphasizes: “despite the current national situation, characterized by high interest rates, an economic slowdown and political uncertainty, the main sectoral indicators show positive developments”. The number of employees rose to almost 346,000, with the integration of a further 20,000 people – corresponding to the best record since the second quarter of 2012 -. Cement consumption increased by 1.8% in cumulative terms until October. The number of promoted works tenders increased by 73% and there was a 33% variation in the number of completed and registered works contracts on the Base Portal, in terms of year-on-year variation that is comparable over time, he says. Investments and gross value added in the construction sector showed annual growth of 3% and 3.1% respectively in the third quarter of this year.
Manuel Reis Campos is therefore optimistic. Next year the country will “run two community support programs simultaneously, Portugal 2030, with 23 billion euros and the PRR [Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência] which, given the reprogramming, has European resources worth 22.2 billion euros, to be implemented by the end of 2026,” he recalls. Reis Campos also has the “strong expectation that from the second half of 2024, a trajectory towards lowering interest rates will begin, thereby easing the related financial burden, both for households and businesses, and creating positive developments expected for housing construction.”
José Matos also does not foresee a decline in activity in the sector and believes that the projects will again be equated with the stabilization of interest rates. And don’t forget that the PRR will be of great importance to the sector between 2024 and 2026.
Dinheiro Vivo journalist
Source: DN
