BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept.13
Trend:
Business Index has decreased in Kazakhstan as of late August 2021, having stood at 50.2 percent (50.8 percent – in July), Trend reports citing the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK).
"This was followed by the decrease of the indicators in the sphere of services to 50.7 percent (51.1 percent – in July), and in the industrial sector – to 49.1 percent (in July 2021 – 50.5 percent). Worsening of the index in the services sector was caused by the decrease in the level of employment, in the industrial sector – the decrease in orders and products, as well as by the increase in terms of deliveries," the report of the NBK said.
However, Business Index in the construction sector has risen up to 51.9 percent (in July 50.1 percent) as the level of employment was increased, the bank added.
"At the same time, in 9 regions of Kazakhstan, the Business Index has improved, while in 8 regions – worsened. The highest level of Business Index in the country was observed in the Turkestan region (54.6) and in Shymkent (52.8), the lowest – in the Aktobe region (43.2)," the report said.
“In August 2021, respondents noted an improvement in the business environment in the country. The balance of answers on the assessment of current business conditions was 1.7 (in July - 0.5), which was facilitated by a certain softening of coronavirus-related quarantine measures in the country. Enterprises assessed positively the demand for products/services, access to finance/loans and communications. Tax burden and business protection issues received negative assessments,” the NBK report reads.
The optimism of enterprises regarding future business conditions for the next 6 months has worsened: the assessment of future conditions was 17.6 (in July - 21.1). As a result, the business climate index for the economy decreased to 9.5 (in July - 10.5).
In August 2021, 462 enterprises took part in the survey: in construction - 67, industry - 175, services - 220.