Tashkent, Uzbekistan, May 7
By Demir Azizov - Trend:
Uzbek industrial sector's business activity index (BAI) stood at 25.5 points in the first quarter of 2014, which is 7.3 points higher than in the first quarter of 2013, Uzbek Commerce and Industry Chamber told Trend on Wednesday, May 7.
This indicator has been the highest for Q1 since 2011.
The increase in the business activity index is due to the growth in domestic demand for the enterprises' products, rise in the number of orders, inventory growth and expansion of the production range.
However, the import and foreign investment activity indices were low - 5.2 and 8.6 points respectively.
On the other hand, the industrial, trade and public catering enterprises had the highest positive BAI - at 28.8 points.
The business environment index (BEI) went up by 4.6 points in January-March 2014, versus the Q4, 2013 and stood at 24.7 points.
The following factors were named to be the main indicators of improvement in the business environment:
- quality improvement of the rendered services, including the improvement of supply of power (BAI - 26.2), natural gas (14.9);
- good relations with local authorities (44.6);
- the availability of information on legislative acts (45.2).
Meanwhile, the quality of roads was rated quite low - at 3.2 points.
Uzbek Commerce and Industry Chamber said businesses forecast further growth in the business activity in all sectors of the economy in Q2, 2014.
The business activity index (BAI) and business environment index (BEI) of Uzbekistan - is a joint product of the Uzbek Center for Economic Research (CER) and the Commerce and Industry Chamber with a support from the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
The indices are being calculated quarterly since July 2009, based on a survey of managers of 700 businesses (50 businesses from each region of the country) operating in six sectors (industry, agriculture, construction, transportation, communication, trade, catering and services).
Translated by E.A.
Edited by S.I.