KIET Manufacturing Business Survey Index (BSI) for 1st Quarter 2017

The overall composite Business Survey Index for the manufacturing sector in the 1st quarter 2017 suggests that the manufacturing sector has become relatively gloomier than the previous quarter. Business conditions and sales in the manufacturing sector have remained far below the baseline (100), standing at BSIs of 82 points and 80 points in the 1st quarter 2017, respectively. Domestic demand (82) shows a slump, which is slightly lower than exports (88) for this quarter. While facilities investment (98) and employment(95) in the 1st quarter are similar to those of the last quarter, ordinary profit (81) and financial condition(82) weakened compared to the previous quarter. The outlook for BSIs in terms of business condition (100) and sales (105) are above the baseline, showing a double-digit increase compared to the last quarter. Domestic demand (103) and exports (102) are above the baseline for the first time in two years since 2015 the 2nd quarter. However, facilities investment (99) and employment(100) recovered to be near the baseline