KIEV, Nov. 3 ??“ The overall aggregate volume of housing construction in 2006 may grow by 17.6% compared to last year, to over 9 million square meters, according to First Deputy Construction Minister Anatoliy Berkuta.

"I'm using the figures stipulated in regional plans, and according to my forecasts, there will be a 17.6% increase. This is the target set by the regions themselves," he said on Friday, according to a report carried by Interfax-Ukraine.