Moldova’s business sentiment improves in Q2

The second quarter is also expected to bring moderate growth in prices, primarily in the manufacturing sector, as well as relative stability in the number of employees and sales, the statistical office said in a statement on Thursday.

Economic activity across the four sectors is seen to be marked by moderate growth in the second quarter, with a positive balance of 7%.

The balance is calculated as the difference between the percentage of respondents who expect positive developments and the percentage of those whose expectations are negative.

Prices across the sectors in the review are also expected to rise moderately, with a positive balance of 8%, while total sales and employees are expected to remain stable, with the former recording a positive balance of 3.7% and the latter, a negative balance of 2%.

In the manufacturing sector, managers are expecting a moderate acceleration of economic activity and prices in the second quarter, with positive balances of 18% and 11%, respectively. The number of employees is seen to remain stable, with a positive balance of 3%.

In the retail and services sectors, managers are anticipating stability in economic activity and employee numbers, as reflected in a positive balance of 5% and a negative balance of 3%, respectively. Prices are seen to grow moderately, as evidenced by a positive balance of 7%.

In the construction sector, all indicators are expected to be marked by relative stability, with sale revenues, employee numbers and prices recording balances of 1%, -5% and 4%, respectively.

Managers of a total of 2,164 companies based in Moldova and operating in construction, manufacturing, retail and services were interviewed in the survey.

Managers interviewed in the first quarter expected moderate growth of economic activity in manufacturing during the second quarter, while construction along with retail and services were seen to be marked by relative stability.