National Statistical Institute: The business climate improves in January

National Statistical Institute: The business climate improves in January
According to national statistics, in January 2010 the total business climate indicator rose by 3.1 points compared to the previous month. The improvement is due to the more optimistic attitudes of managers from the construction and services sectors.
Industry
The composite business climate indicator in industry kept its level of December 2009. In January the estimates of present business situation of enterprises degraded, but for the next six months managers have more optimistic expectations for their business. In regards of the employment the companies provide staff reduction, but in slower pace. More pessimistic assessments of present business situation is accompained by lowered estimates for industrial activity, with the assurance contracts and competitive position of local firms and foreign market.
In January, the companies indicate that fundamental problems for business development in the industry remain uncertain economic environment and poor demand from both the country and abroad. Average capacity utilization in industry in January remained unchanged compared with October last year. But compared with January 2009, there is a decrease from 6.1 percentage points.
Construction
In January, the composite business climate indicator in construction rose by 9.7 percentage points from the previous month mainly due to more optimistic expectations about business situation in  enterprises over the next six months /the BSI increased by 18.8 percentage points/. While projections for business over the next three months are also favorable /the BSI increased by 18.4 percentage points/, and the expectations for orders in the next six months are significantly improved. For the next three months, however, continues the expectations for further reduction of staff, but at a slower pace. The most serious factors limiting the activity of the companies are the financial problems and the uncertain economic environment, followed by the insufficient demand.
Retail trade
The composite business climate indicator in retail trade in January remained  approximately stable in compare with the previous month. The current business situation in the companies was evaluated by managers as little better than in December 2009, but their expectations for the next six months are more pessimistic. In the view of retail the sales over the last three months fell, as the expectations for sales and for orders to suppliers and staff are about to remain unchanged over the next three months. The uncertain economic environment, poor demand and competition in the industr continue to be the factors that hamper the activities of the firms - their influence in January was stronger than in December.
Services
In January, the composite business climate indicator in the service sector increased with 5.9 points compared to December last year due to better managers' assessment of present business situation of the companies and their optimistic expectations for the next six months. Over the past three months the demand for services and employment in the sector declined. The expectations for the next three months, however, reported some optimism in terms of demand, but the staff is not expected to decrease. The uncertain economic environment continues to be a factor that limits the activity of the companies in the service sector, followed by the competition in the industry.

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