<b>Abu Dhabi Finance</b> is , Sarmad Khan reports today. The rates are about 1.01 per cent cheaper than the prevailing interest rates in the UAE. Asa Fitch, over at <i>In The Black</i> , . This time last year, building materials were so expensive there was a black market for them. Now, prices for steel have dropped by 70 per cent and cement by 20 per cent. Mr Khan at the changed environment for cement manufacturers and steel traders. Residential rental rates in Sharjah in the first quarter of 2009, Emirates Business 24/7 reports. Office rents fell by about 34 per cent in the same period. Analysts say that the Emirate is being hit less hard than Dubai by the property slowdown because prices there did not reach the same heights. John Bullough, chief executive of <b>Aldar Properties</b> , ", adding that "we are in for at least another 12 months of a fairly level low-performing market".