According to the statement, the seasonally adjusted confidence index which was 100.4 for services in February increased by 5.1% in March to 105.5. In the services sector compared to the previous month, the business situation over the past three months sub-index increased by 1.2% to 103.0.

Demand-turnover over the past three months sub-index increased by 3.9% to 101.8 and demand-turnover expectation over the next three months sub-index increased by 10.1% to 111.7.

Retail trade confidence index realized as 109.2

Seasonally adjusted retail trade confidence index increased by 0.2% in March to 109.2. In the retail trade sector compared to the previous month, business activity-sales over the past three months sub-index decreased by 4.0% to 117.3. The current volume of stock sub-index increased by 1.6% to 94.1 and business activity-sales expectation over the next three months sub-index increased by 3.8% to 116.2.

Construction confidence index realized as 79.8

The seasonally adjusted construction confidence index which was 83.1 in February decreased by 4.0% in March to 79.8. In the construction sector compared to the previous month, the current overall order books sub-index became 76.3 by decreasing 0.8%. Total employment expectation over the next three months sub-index decreased by 6.8% to 83.2.

 In the construction sector, 48.5% of the enterprises indicated at least one factor limiting their activities while 51.5% of the enterprises indicated none in March. Among the main factors limiting activities in the construction sector; "financial constraints" which was 26.3% in February realized 24.5% in March, "insufficient demand" which was 25.7% in February realized as 23.2% in March, and "other factors" which was 27.2% in February realized as 24.3% in March. (ILKHA)