September 29 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria's business sentiment improved slightly in September after it deteriorated in August, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said on Thursday.
The overall business sentiment indicator inched up by 0.8 percentage points in September compared to August as a result of increases in the industry, retail trade and service sectors, the statistical office said in a monthly survey.
The composite indicator in the retail sector increased most - by 2.6 percentage points. The rise reflects both the improved assessments and more favourable expectations of retailers about the business situation of the enterprises. Their opinions about the volume of sales and the orders placed with suppliers over the next three months are also more positive.
In the services sector, the business climate indicator climbed by 1.6 points due to the optimistic managers’ assessments about the present business situation of the enterprises. Regarding demand for services, the present tendency is assessed as favourable, while the expectations over the next three months remain reserved.
The business sentiment indicator in the industry sector inched up by 0.5 points. While the assessments about the present business situation are positive, the present production activity is assessed as reserved, NSI said.
The business sentiment indicator in the construction sector was the only one to show a decline, falling 1.1 percentage points. The reason was the pessimistic expectations about the business situation of the enterprises over the next six months. The most serious problems in the sector continue to be connected with the uncertain economic environment, costs of materials and shortage of labour.