Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

National Statistical Institute registers slight improvement in business climate in Bulgaria

Photo: archive

After a dramatic decline in August 2022, one month later there is an albeit slight improvement in the business climate in industry, retail trade and services. At the same time a rise in prices is expected in all economic spheres in the coming months.

According to the latest National Statistical Institute (NSI) analysis, the total business climate indicator in September is up by 0.8 points compared to August when it marked a significant drop – by 3.4 points. The business climate indicator in industry is up by 0.5 points after a 3.4 point drop a month earlier. However, the assessment of the current production activity is more reserved, with a deterioration of the outlook in the next three months. In September 2022, the business climate in construction marked a 1.1-point decline after a certain amount of stabilization in July, with more pessimistic estimates by building contractors for the next 6 months. The number of late payment customers has been growing.

The uncertain economic environment, the prices of materials and the staff shortages are cited as the principal problems for the development of activity. As to sales prices, 42% of building contractors say they expect a rise in the coming three months.

In September, retail trade marked a 2.6-point increase after a 9-point decline in August. Estimates regarding the volumes of sales and orders to suppliers over the next three months are also more positive, according to the NSI business analysis.  The main obstacle continues to be the uncertain economic environment and the competition in the sector. In the next three months, 39.6% of retail traders expect an increase in sales prices. In the services sector, a 1.6-point increase has been registered in September after a 1.1-point decline in August. The current tendency is assessed as favourable but the outlook for the next three months remains reserved. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Inflation slows, says NSI

Monthly inflation was 0.3 per cent in February, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said.  Bulgaria's annual consumer price index (CPI) recorded inflation of 3.3 per cent in February, down from 3.8 per cent in the previous month.  It was the 14th..

published on 3/14/24 1:50 PM

Preliminary NSI data put GDP growth at 1.8 per cent in 2023

Bulgaria's gross domestic product grew by 1.8 per cent to BGN 183.7 billion (EUR 93.9 billion) last year, according to preliminary data released by the National Statistical Institute. One person accounts for BGN 28 516 (EUR 14 580) of the total...

published on 3/8/24 1:30 PM

Sofia has the highest average wage in the country - 1,500 euro

The average salary in Bulgaria in the fourth quarter of last year was BGN 2,123 (EUR 1,085), an increase of 13% compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. The average wage is highest in Sofia - BGN..

published on 3/7/24 2:50 PM