Services and construction works boosted the Romanian GDP to 136908.7 million lei in the first quarter of 2006, up 7.8% compared to the same period last year, according to data provided by the National Statistics Institute - INS.

The data show the highest increase was reported in the construction works sector (16.5%), followed by services (7.2%) and industry (6.5%). The worst evolution was reported in agriculture (down 0.4%).

Collected taxes also grew significantly compared to a year before, up 8.1%.

Investments reported in Q1 2006 summed up to 15771.2 million lei, up 12.5% compared to the same period last year.

And unemployment rate was down to 5.1% (446.800 people) by the end of July 2006, compared to July 2005.