LISBON, May 17 (Xinhua) -- The number of tenders for public works projects in Portugal fell sharply in the first quarter of 2018, the Association of Civic Construction and Public Works Industries (AICCOPN) reported on Thursday.
In Q1 2018, public works contracts put out to tender amounted to 477 million euros (563 million U.S. dollars). This marks a 36 percent fall compared to the same period in 2017 and the lowest volume since Q3 2016.
So far in 2018, two tenders worth 170 million euros have been launched for the construction of a train line between Evora and Elvas, in the center-east of the country.
There has also been a 18 million euros tender to perform upgrade work on the April 25 suspension bridge. But overall volumes are down.
"In terms of both new public tenders being launched and the volume of contracts being signed, the first quarter of 2018 registered a significant downturn compared to what's been fairly consistent growth since 2016," said an AICCOPN statement.
In 2017, public works contracts put out to tender amounted to 2.952 billion euros and contracts were signed to the tune of 2.041 billion euros, making it the most lucrative year since 2011.
