Housing sector puts on a brave face

PALMA
PALMA'S 16th Habitat construction, decoration and home furnishings fair opened yesterday just hours after Spanish housing ministry data showed that house prices fell 1.3 percent in the third quarter after falling 0.3 percent in the second quarter of this year.

This year's trade fair at the Palma airport exhibition centre is being staged amidst the crisis gripping the properly sector but, despite a drop in the number of participants, both the property sector and the Balearic government put on a brave and united front.

Last year the fair featured 126 exhibition stands and a further 59 companies were represented. However, this week, there are just 67 stands and 50 business on show.