ABSTRACT
The continuation of the slow rate of development is based on the assumption that given a stalemate in the political area, construction and housing will roughly follow the previous overall growth pattern at best. Despite the continued but modest growth, construction activity as measured by cement consumption per capita would remain considerably lower than that in Israel, especially given the continuation of the intifada. The number of housing units constructed in 1997 would reach 11,500 while the total number constructed in the decade would be some 100,000. The rate of growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) in construction would be even greater at 6 per cent per annum. GDP per employed person would be slightly lower than in the conservative option. Construction activity would reach some 20 per cent of the GDP and involve 15 per cent of the domestic work force.
