Business has improved its assessment of results.

According to the National Bank, in February enterprises improved their assessments of their economic activities, although still leaving them below neutral levels. All sectors noted the positive impact of increased domestic demand, production, and supply of goods.

However, there were also restraining factors, such as shelling of critical infrastructure, rising labor, heating, and electricity costs during the winter period, labor shortages, and inflationary processes. The Business Activity Expectations Index (BAEI), calculated by the National Bank, indicates this.

According to the regulator, industrial enterprises evaluated their current activities most optimistically due to the revival of consumer demand and increased production.

Trade enterprises also significantly improved their assessments of business activity due to the revival of domestic demand and sufficient supply of goods.

Construction enterprises slightly softened but maintained moderate assessments of current economic results due to seasonality in construction work and labor shortages.

Service sector enterprises were the most restrained regarding their economic prospects due to a shortage of qualified personnel and increased costs for labor, heating, and electricity during the winter period.

All enterprises involved in the survey anticipated a more moderate increase in prices/tariffs for their products/services against the backdrop of a slowdown in the growth of purchase prices.

The labor market situation has also softened. Most respondents expected a slowdown in layoffs, but representatives from the service sector were more optimistic.