Ukrainian businesses expect a slowdown in inflation and not so strong devaluation of the national currency, according to findings of a regular survey of business expectations, conducted by the National Bank of Ukraine in the second quarter of this year. “The average forex rate in 12 months is UAH 28.82 per U.S. dollar (the forecast given in Q1 was UAH 29.32 per U.S. dollar),” the NBU said in a document.
According to it, if in the first quarter of this year, respondents estimated inflation in the next 12 months at 9%, their forecast given in the second quarter is 7.7%.
The National Bank adds that Ukrainian companies have also improved their expectations for economic growth in Ukraine and the development of their own business, although the Business Expectations Index (BEI) for the next 12 months slid slightly to 117.8% from 119.7% a quarter earlier.
According to the survey, entrepreneurs began to better assess their current financial and economic situation – a positive response balance of 12.6% versus 8% in the first quarter. They expect to improve the situation thanks to the increase in production and sales, primarily for export. In this connection, companies plan to increase investment in equipment and more actively borrow funds.
