The Business Activity Outlook Index (BAOI) calculated by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) grew by 9.6 points in June, to 45.5 points. This is lower than the neutral index reading of about 50 and means that pessimistic expectations of business prevail, the regulator said on its website.
“Ukrainian business is gradually recovering from the blow that the coronavirus crisis has inflicted on it. The NBU poll indicated that the mood of entrepreneurs in June improved. Economic activity gradually recovered, both in Ukraine and abroad, after quarantine restrictions were eased,” the NBU said.
According to the regulator, the new wave of quarantine easing contributed to economic activity of retail companies – the diffuse index (DI) grew to 50.5 points from 37.6 in May.
The service sector also showed better expectations: DI grew by 12.3%, to 40.8%.
Expectations of industrial enterprises, which DI grew from 40.4 to 49.2, also improved.
Construction enterprises expect the worsening of activities: DI in June fell by 4.1 points, to 36 points.
Employment assessments of all sectors remain pessimistic. (Open4Business/Business World Magazine)