In February 2015 the total business climate indicator increases by 1.2 percentage points compared to the previous month which is due to the improved managers’ opinions in industry, construction and retail trade.
Industry. The composite indicator ‘business climate in industry’ increases by 2.4 percentage points in comparison with January due to the more favourable industry entrepreneurs’ assessments and expectations about the business situation of the enterprises. However the present production activity is assessed as slightly decreased, while in the expectations about the activity in the branch over the next 3 months some improvement has been observed.
The main obstacles for the business development in the branch remain the uncertain economic environment and insufficient domestic demand pointed out respectively by 55.9% and 28.1% of the enterprises.
As regards the selling prices in industry the managers’ expectations are for them to remain unchanged over the next 3 months.
Construction. In February the composite indicator ‘business climate in construction’ increases by 1.8 percentage points which is due to the improved construction entrepreneurs’ expectations about the business situation of the enterprises over the next 6 months. Their forecasts with regard to the construction activity over the next 3 months are also more optimistic, as the inquiry also reports a decrease in the number of the clients with delay in payments.
The main factor limiting the activity in the branch continues to be connected with the uncertain economic environment, though in the last month a decrease of its negative impact is observed. In the second and third place are the factors ‘financial problems’ and ‘competition in the branch’.
Concerning the selling prices in construction the majority of the managers expect preservation of their level over the next 3 months.
Retail trade. The composite indicator ‘business climate in retail trade’ increases by 2.3 percentage points compared to January due to the optimistic retailers’ expectations about the business situation of the enterprises over the next 6 months. At the same time their prognoses for the volume of sales and orders placed with suppliers over the next 3 months are improved.
The uncertain economic environment, competition in the branch and insufficient demand remain the most serious obstacles for the development of the activity in the branch.
The retailers’ expectations about the selling prices in the branch are for them to remain unchanged over the next 3 months.
Service sector. In February the composite indicator ‘business climate in service sector’ decreases by 3.0 percentage points which is due to the more unfavourable managers’ assessments and expectations about the business situation of the enterprises. Their opinions concerning the present demand for services are more reserved, while their expectations over the next 3 months are improved.
The most serious factor limiting the activity of the enterprises continues to be the uncertain economic environment, whose negative influence increases in the last month. In the background remain the factors ‘competition the branch’ and ‘insufficient demand’.
Concerning the selling prices the managers forecast preservation of their level over the next 3 months.