Romania's March business sentiment improves

Managers of construction companies expect an increase in economic activity in the next three months, with a positive balance of 19%, INS said in a monthly business sentiment survey.

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.

Managers in the construction sector anticipate relative stability in the number of employees, with a positive balance of 5%. Prices of construction works are expected to grow strongly, with a positive balance of 32%.

The managers of companies operating in manufacturing expect moderate growth in production volumes, with a positive balance of 9%, during the next three months. Employment numbers are seen to be marked by relative stability, as reflected in a flat balance of 0%. Prices of industrial products are expected to grow, with a positive balance of 17%.

Managers of retail companies expect moderate growth in economic activity in the next three months, with a positive balance of 13%. The volume of orders placed by trade units to the suppliers of goods is expected to increase moderately, with a positive balance of 12%. Employers forecast a growth in the number of employees over the next three months, with a positive balance of 18%. Managers expect that retail prices will rise, with a balance of 26%.

Demand for services is expected to register moderate growth in the next three months, showing a positive balance of 8%. Relative stability in the number of employees is anticipated, with a positive balance of 4%. According to the interviewed managers in the sector, prices in services will grow moderately in the following three months, with the balance here being 13%.

A total of 8,961 managers of Romania-based companies operating in construction, manufacturing, retail and services were interviewed in the survey.

In February, managers expected moderate growth in economic activity in the construction and manufacturing sectors, while relative stability was forecast for the retail and service sectors.