Brussels, 18/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - In May 2007, production in the building sector increased by 0.2% in the eurozone and by 0.1% in the EU27 compared to one month earlier, when it fell by 1.2% and 0.3% respectively. Compared to May 2006, the rise is 1.8% in the eurozone and 1.9% in the EU27. At a monthly rate, production in the construction sector increased in seven member states, mainly Slovenia (+9.4%), Portugal (+4.2%) and Belgium (+3.1%). It fell in four including Romania (-7.0%), Slovakia (-2.10%) and the Czech Republic (-1.9%), and remained stable in the Netherlands and Sweden. The building sector increased by 0.5% in the eurozone and by 0.3% in the EU27 whereas civil engineering fell by 0.7% and 0.9% respectively. At an annual rate, construction increased in ten member states and fell in three. The largest increases were noted in Slovenia (+48%), Romania (+27.6%), and Poland (+16.0%). The only falls were in Portugal (-4.9%), Germany (-2.7%), and Sweden (-2.2%). Taking each sector separately, building progressed 1.8% n the eurozone and 2.3% in the EU27, and civil engineering by 0.1% and 1.3% respectively. (ab)