Cement sales in Portugal fell by 20.2 per cent year-on-year in October 2004, data from the Association of Portuguese Public Works Contractors (ANEOP) showed on November 29, 2004. For January to October 2004, the sales of cement in the country registered a decrease of 2.6 per cent year-on-year, ANEOP added. According to the association, the fall reflects the decreased demand on the market and some of the new measures for the public works sector, included in Portugal’s state budget for 2005. Investments in public works in Portugal declined by 0.8 per cent year-on-year for the first 10 months of 2004. The number of the completed public works in the period fell by 7.1 per cent year-on-year. The confidence in public works in Portugal fell to -47 per cent in October 2004, compared to -44 per cent in September 2004.