São Paulo, January 5, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Construction costs in São Paulo State rose 13.84% in 2003, according to a study by the Building Contractors' Syndicate (Sinduscon). On the average, labor went up 17.29% between January and December, while materials increased 9.91%.

In December, the Basic Unit Cost rose 0.09%. During this period, labor went up 0.27%, while materials fell 0.13%. The average cost of construction per square meter came to R$ 809.50. (DAS)