Romanian manufacturing, retail and services sectors anticipate ‘stable’ outlook

The short-term outlook for the manufacturing, retail trade and services sectors in Romania is ‘relatively stable’, according to the country’s National Institute of Statistics (INSSE).

Within the manufacturing sector, as per the business tendency survey conducted in December 2023, managers anticipate a relative stability in the production volume for the next three months, with a balance of -5%. In terms of the number of employees, a similar forecast of relative stability is estimated, reflected in a balance of -3%.

However, with regard to the price of industrial products, there is a forecasted growth for the next three months, with a balance of +17%.

Retail sector stability

In the retail sector, managers have assessed a relative stability in economic activity for the next three months, with a balance of +3%. The volume of orders placed by trade units to goods suppliers is expected to experience a moderate growth, with a balance of +11%.

Elsewhere, employers in the sector anticipate a moderate increase in the number of employees for the next three months, reflecting a balance of +15%. However, managers within the retail sector anticipate a sharp growth in retail prices, with a balance of +43%.

Within the services sector, the demand for services (turnover) is anticipated to exhibit relative stability for the next three months, with a balance of 0%, INSSE added.

Construction volume to decline

However, within the construction sector, as per December 2023 estimations, there is an anticipated decrease in the production volume of construction activity for the next three months, with a balance of -21%.

Managers also forecast a moderate decrease in the number of employees, reflected in a balance of -10%.