April 29 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria's business sentiment indicator grew by 1.8 percentage points (pp) month-on-month to 24.8% in April, following a 0.4 pp rise in March, the statistical office said on Monday.
All observed sectors posted increases in their business climate, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said in a monthly survey.
The business sentiment indicator in retail trade increased the most - by 3.6 pp. This was driven by improved retailers’ expectations about the business situation over the next six months. Their projections about sales volume and orders placed with suppliers over the next three months are also optimistic.
In the services sector, excluding trade, the business climate indicator climbed by 1.8 pp due to positive assessments and expectations about the current business situation. Their forecasts about service demand over the next three months, however, are more unfavourable.
The composite indicator in the industry sector went up by 1.2 pp. The rise reflects optimistic assessments of the present business situation. The current production activity has also improved, fueled by an increase in new orders over the last three months. At the same time, expectations about the business situation and activity over the next few months are more moderate compared to March.
The business sentiment indicator in the construction sector added 1.1 pp on the back of more favourable construction entrepreneurs’ assessments and expectations about the business situation.
Production is assured with longer contract periods - at 6.5 months in April against 6.1 months in January, while forecasts for new orders over the next half year have improved.