Relative stability of activity in manufacturing industry, retail trade and services Moderate decrease in the number of employees in construction Sharp price growth in retail trade Manufacturing According to the business tendency survey of January 2024, managers from the manufacturing industry forecast a relative stability of the production volume for the next three months (balance 0%). Regarding the number of employees, a relative stability is estimated, the balance being -1%, the short-term survey carried out by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) shows. For the prices of industrial products, a growth is forecasted for the next three months (balance +21%). Construction According to January 2024 estimations, there will be a moderate decrease in the production volume of the construction activity for the next three months (balance -12%). Managers forecast a moderate decrease in the number of employees (balance -9%). As to the prices of construction works, a growth is forecasted (balance +32%). Retail trade In the retail trade sector, managers estimated a relative stability in the economic activity for the next three months (balance +1%). The volume of orders placed by the trade units to the suppliers of goods will register a relative stability (balance +3%). Employers forecast a moderate growth in the number of employees for the next three months (balance +10%). Managers of trade companies estimate a sharp growth of the retail prices (balance +45%). Services According to January 2024 estimations, the demand for services (turnover) will register a relative stability for the next three months (balance -2%). A relative stability is estimated for the number of employees (balance -4%). According to the managers, the selling or invoice prices of services will register a growth (balance +17%).