Belarus’ SMEs consider macroeconomic instability and second wave of COVID-19 as major risks – survey
<p> MINSK, Dec 16 - PrimePress. Belarusian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) consider the fall of households’ incomes and macroeconomic instability, primarily a decline in domestic demand and fluctuations of the exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble, as the main risks for business. They are also apprehensive about possible aggravated impacts of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the opinion poll conducted by the BEROC Center for Economic Research in November 2020 among 400 small and medium enterprises. </p> <p> </p> <p> The rise of the dollar is a significant problem for the enterprises, not only for the importers and exporters. On the positive side, the respondents are less reactive to the instability of the national currency. In November, fewer enterprises began to feel growth of accounts receivable. Some enterprises became more optimistic about demand on foreign markets. However, November saw a big problem with liquidity, as floating assets were increasingly shrinking with possible further deterioration of the situation, says senior researcher for BEROC Rodion Morozov. </p> <p> </p> <p> Among the negative trends, the respondents also mentioned rising supplier and contractors’ prices, which is largely due to the increase in the USD rate in August-September 2020. </p> <p> </p> <p> A decline in labor productivity in many respects caused by the domestic socio-political situation was first mentioned among the negative factors in September, and then 10% of respondents listed this among the top three negative factors. Their number decreased in November 2020. End </p>
2020-12-17
Primepress
MINSK, Dec 16 - PrimePress. Belarusian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) consider the fall of households’ incomes and macroeconomic instability, primarily a decline in domestic demand and fluctuations of the exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble, as the main risks for business. They are also apprehensive about possible aggravated impacts of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the opinion poll conducted by the BEROC Center for Economic Research in November 2020 among 400 small and medium enterprises.
The rise of the dollar is a significant problem for the enterprises, not only for the importers and exporters. On the positive side, the respondents are less reactive to the instability of the national currency. In November, fewer enterprises began to feel growth of accounts receivable. Some enterprises became more optimistic about demand on foreign markets. However, November saw a big problem with liquidity, as floating assets were increasingly shrinking with possible further deterioration of the situation, says senior researcher for BEROC Rodion Morozov.
Among the negative trends, the respondents also mentioned rising supplier and contractors’ prices, which is largely due to the increase in the USD rate in August-September 2020.
A decline in labor productivity in many respects caused by the domestic socio-political situation was first mentioned among the negative factors in September, and then 10% of respondents listed this among the top three negative factors. Their number decreased in November 2020. End