ZEW survey: Romanian economy has improved in March, analysts say

Expectations of financial analysts on the economic developments in Romania have continued to improve in March, but the country has dropped one place in the rankings of Central and Eastern Europe, down to the second place, behind Slovakia, according to a survey conducted by ZEW institute.

The index measuring the perception of analysts for the next six months in the case of Romania advanced by 4.1 points to 54.2 points after an increase of more than 27 points in February, a survey compiled by the German research institute ZEW in cooperation with the Austrian Erste Group says.

With a score of 57.7 points (an increase of 15.4 points as compared to February), Slovakia climbed on the top spot in the region on analysts’ expectations of short-term economic development. In February, Slovakia ranked fourth, after Romania, Poland and Austria.

The podium for March is completed by the Czech Republic, with a score of 50 points.

Regarding the perception of financial experts on the current state of the economy, the index for Romania fell in March by 8 points to 20 points, most respondents considering the current economic situation is “acceptable”.

Poland is the country with the best economic situation in the region, with a score of 42.3 points, followed by the Czech Republic (24.9 points), Slovakia (22.2 points) and Romania.

The Central and Eastern Europe region includes Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey, according to the ZEW survey.

The study was conducted during March 2-16, included 63 analysts, of which 14 from Turkey.

Read also: http://www.romaniajournal.ro/romania-the-first-in-central-and-eastern-europe-according-to-six-month-economic-outlook/