Rio, 4/7/2004 (Agência Brasil) - The cost of building index (Índice Nacional da Construção Civil - INCC) showed a rise of 0.80% in March, slightly less than in February, when it rose 0.82%. A year ago, in March 2003, the INCC rose 1.19%.

The numbers are from the government statistical bureau (IBGE) which also reports that for the year there is a cumulative 2.12% increase in the INCC, and 11.93% for the last 12 months.

According to the IBGE, the INCC has been pressured by labor costs in Rio de Janeiro, where it jumped 4.53%.

A breakdown of building costs in March is as follows: per square meter - R$467.31, of which R$267.62 for material, and R$199.69 for labor.

The INCC is used as a yardstick by the govenment to determine the costs of public works. (Translator: Allen Bennett)