Riyadh-Mubasher: The value of construction contracts awarded in Saudi Arabia jumped 45% to SAR 82.8 billion in the second quarter of 2015 compared with the first quarter, the National Commercial Bank’s (NCB) Construction Contracts Index showed.

The index leapt to 341.98 points in Q2-15, from 290.78 in the previous quarter.

 April saw nearly SAR 51.3 billion in the awarded contracts, with the energy and road projects dominating the largest share.

The contracts declined to SAR 17.8 billion and SAR 13.7 billion in May and June, respectively.

Road and housing contracts accounted for 57%, or SAR 47.5 billion, of the total value of contracts, while electricity represented 14%, NCB said.

The value of awarded contracts increased 13% to SAR 140 billion year-on-year in H1-15, the bank said, adding that the increase highlights the continuous growth and strength of the construction sector.