Latest survey indicates increasing business gloom and worse to come

The latest general economic climate index published by the Central Statistical Office (GUS) shows that the construction and processing sectors have experienced their worst October for seven years. Responding to the GUS survey, construction company representatives complained of reduced orders, and said they feared the situation may become even worse over the next three months. Diminishing optimism was apparent across the whole of industry, with the executives questioned generally pointing to a worsening of their companies' situation since September. Their chief complaint centered on declining demand, which not only affected production but also led to difficulties in keeping up with debt repayments. The outlook continues to be bleak, with companies predicting serious falls in demand coupled with price rises. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B3) M.K.