According to the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), in March, businesses demonstrated positive assessments of their economic activity. The Business Activity Expectations Index (BAEI) exceeded the neutral level for the first time in 11 months, reaching 51.8, an increase compared to 46.9 in February 2025 (for comparison, this indicator was 52 in March 2024).
This is reported by Business • Media
Drivers of Improvement
The main factors that influenced the improvement in business expectations were:
- steady consumer demand;
- increased production volumes;
- inflow of international financial assistance;
- stabilization of energy supply;
- seasonal factors.
According to the data, trade became the most optimistic sector with an index of 54, while in industry this figure was 53.1, in construction it was 52.9, and the services sector showed the most cautious expectations with an index of 48.8.
“Surveyed enterprises in the industry and services sectors have lowered their expectations regarding the rise in purchase 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.
Employment Prospects
At the same time, expectations regarding employment have improved: the construction sector is increasing personnel, industry is approaching a neutral level, while a slight reduction in workers is forecasted in trade and the services sector.