Business in Ukraine has restored positive assessments of activity for the first time in 11 months
According to the National Bank of Ukraine, in March 2025, enterprises provided positive assessments of their economic activity for the first time in 11 months. The Business Activity Expectations Index (BAEI) rose above the neutral level to 51.8, compared to 46.9 in February of this year and 52 in March 2024.
This is reported by AgroReview
Drivers of Positive Impact on Business
The main factors that positively influenced business expectations were:
- stable consumer demand;
- increased production volumes;
- receipt of international financial assistance;
- stabilization of energy supply;
- seasonal factors.
The trade sector proved to be the most optimistic, with an index of 54, while in industry it was 53.1, in construction it was 52.9, and in the services sector the index was the lowest at 48.8.
“The surveyed enterprises in industry and services have lowered their expectations regarding the rise in procurement prices, as well as prices/tariffs for their own products/services, while construction and trade companies maintained high expectations for price increases,” noted the NBU.
Expectations Regarding Employment
The situation regarding employment expectations has also improved. In construction, there is an increase in personnel, industry is approaching a neutral level, while in trade and services a slight reduction in staff is forecasted.