Kazakhstan business activity growth slows to 51.1 in AugustKazakhstan’s business activity index declined to 51.1 in August from 51.5 in July, the National Bank’s press service reported Thursday.Despite the overall slowdown, the index remained above the 50-point threshold, indicating continued economic expansion. Gains were recorded in the manufacturing sector, where the index rose to 53.8 from 51.9, and in construction, which improved to 47.9 from 47.5. The slowdown was driven by a deceleration in the services sector, which fell to 51.4 from 52.3; trade, which dropped to 51.3 from 52.9; and the extractive industry, which declined to 48.2 from 48.4.The business climate index saw a marginal increase to 11.9, attributed to an improved assessment of current business conditions. "However, optimism regarding future conditions slightly decreased, but the overall indicator remains positive," Rustem Orazalin, director of the National Bank's monetary policy department, said.The bank also reported that an indicator of the business cycle remained in expansionary territory, and businesses reported an increase in demand for their products and services, with the highest demand noted in the manufacturing sector. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX