51.   The review, ISIS said, is urgently required to infuse greater efficiency into the housing sector, and reduce time and costs involved in the activity.

52.   The runaway population growth and lack of pragmatic planning in the housing sector have created some serious problems, with very few open spaces being available to the citizens.

53.   To sustain the gains of the NSP, a secured financing scheme should be developed to increase the available resources of the housing sector, Dela Serna said.

54.   However, he said the bottom line would rely heavily on any housing sector upturn and general economic activity.

55.   Housing Minister Brian Howe said the fall in housing finance continued a pattern of decline in the housing sector which was in line with industry and government forecasts.

56.   Housing Minister Brian Howe said the data confirmed a downward trend in the housing sector despite the seasonally adjusted rise.

57.   But the housing sector continued to be a negative factor for overall growth, while stocks should also be a negative.

58.   But he said corporate managers remained cautious about the prospects for the economy due to expected falls in public sector and housing sector investment.

59.   Consumption was the main contributor to growth in the December quarter, while the depressed housing sector had a negative impact.

60.   The statement added that the World Bank and the Palestinian Authority would be working together to encourage donor countries to invest in the housing sector.