NSI: an improvement of the business climate in industry, construction and retail trade, September 2016

In September 2016 the total business climate indicator preserves its level from the previous month, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) reported. The inquiry reports an improvement of the indicator in industry, construction and retail trade, while in the service sector a decrease is registered.

Industry. The composite indicator ‘business climate in industry’ increases by 1.0 percentage point in comparison with August which is due to the more favourable industrial entrepreneurs’ expectations about the business situation of the enterprises over the next 6 months. As regards the present production activity, their assessments are slight improved, as the expectations over the next 3 months are also for an increase of the activity.

The main factors limiting the business development remain connected with the uncertain economic environment and insufficient domestic demand.

Concerning the selling prices in industry, the managers’ expectations are for them to remain unchanged over the next 3 months.

Construction. In September the composite indicator ‘business climate in construction’ increases by 1.4 percentage points as a result of the optimistic construction entrepreneurs’ assessments about the present business situation of the enterprises. In their opinion, the present construction activity is improved in comparison with the previous month, as their forecasts for the next 3 months remain favourable.

The most serious problem limiting the activity of the enterprises continues to be the uncertain economic environment, followed by competition in the branch and financial problems.

As regards the selling prices in the construction, the majority of the managers foresee preservation their level over the next 3 months.

Retail trade. The composite indicator ‘business climate in retail trade’ increases by 0.6 percentage points in comparison with August which is due to the improved retailers’ assessments about the present business situation of enterprises. However, their expectations about the volume of sales and orders placed with suppliers over the next 3 months are more reserved.

The main factors for the business development remain the competition in the branch, insufficient demand and uncertain economic environment, as the inquiry registers strengthening of the negative impact of the second factor.

Concerning the selling prices, the retailers’ expectations are them to remain unchanged over the next 3 months.

Service sector. In September the composite indicator ‘business climate in service sector’ decreases by 3.6 percentage points as a result of the shifting of the managers’ assessments and expectations about the business situation of the enterprises from ‘better’ towards preserving ‘the same’. With regard to the demand for services, the present tendency is assessed as improved, while the expectations over the next 3 months are more reserved.

In the last month strengthening of the unfavourable influence of the factor ‘uncertain economic environment’ was registered, which shifts to the second place the difficulties connected with the competition in the branch.

As regards the selling prices in the sector, managers foresee preservation of their level over the next 3 months.