Perceived Economic Opportunity PEO: July, 2017
This brief report of the Perceived Economic Opportunity (PEO) presents the analysis of a random survey carried out using a sample of 400 men and women in July 2017 covering all districts in Sri Lanka on their expectations of economic prospects in the ensuing twelve months.
Status Of Job Prospects Or Business Performance
Analysis of the perceived economic opportunities in the month of July 2017 indicates, that the expectations in terms of job prospects of people or developing the status of their business in the ensuing 12 months has been incresed, compared to June 2017.
The expectations in terms of job prospects of people or developing the status of their business reported a decrease in the month of June 2017 compared to the month of May 2017. The same expectation recorded an increase in the month of May 2017 compared to the month of April 2017.
It is significant to note that the same expectation showed a continuous increase from December 2016 to February 2017 and then began to fall from the month of March 2017.
Inflation, as measured by the change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) (2013=100), which is compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics, increased to 8.6 percent in March 2017 from 8.2 percent in February 2017, on the year-on-year basis. However, it again decreased to 8.4 percent in the month of April 2017 and to 7.1 percent in the month of May 2017. Inflation, remained unchanged from the previous month at 6.3 per cent in July 2017, on year-on-year basis.
Sri Lanka’s external sector continued to improve with increased exports and inflows
to the financial account. However, the trade deficit widened in July 2017 compared to the corresponding month of 2016 due to higher import expenditure amid the increasein export earnings.
Tourist earnings declined marginally in July while workers’remittances increased, reversing its declining trend observed in the last four months.
The financial account continued to strengthen in the month of July 2017.
Continuing the upward trend observed since March 2017, earnings from exports increased in July 2017 surpassing the US dollars 1 billion mark for the second timeduring the year.The growth in exports was mainly driven by industrial exports, followed by agricultural exports.
Earnings from exports registered a year-on-year growth of 13.9 per cent to US dollars 1,016 million in July 2017.
The below graph shows the change of expectations in terms of job prospects of people or developing the status of their business in the ensuing 12 months.
Refer the graph 01 below;
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These reasons are likely to have had an impact on the expectations of job prospects and the business activities of the people in the month of July 2017.
Ability To Save
According to the analysis in the month of July 2017, the expectation among the people to save a little more from their personal earnings in the ensuing 12 months, has increased. However, the same expectation recorded a decrease in the month of June 2017. Please Refer the Graph 02;
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Expectation For Reduction Of Corruption
The expectation for reduction of corruption in the country started to fall in March, and the same expectation continued to fall even in the third month, May 2017.
But, the same expectation showed a positive trend in the month of June 2017. Continuing from the month of June 2017, it is shown that the expectation for reduction of corruption has increased in the month of July 2017.
The higher expectation for the reduction of corruption in the country that many expected at the time the current government came into office, has gradually decreased in past months. But, it is significant to note, that this perception took a dramatic fall in October 2016 likely due to the much-publicized issue of the probe by the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises, or COPE.
Sri Lanka appointed a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate the controversial Central Bank bond issue and recommend action in the month of January 2017 and it is significant that the investigation has reached an important stage by the month of July 2017.
Please Refer the Graph 03;
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These reasons are likely to have had an impact on the expectations of job prospects and the business activities of the people in the month of July 2017.
Ability To Save
According to the analysis in the month of July 2017, the expectation among the people to save a little more from their personal earnings in the ensuing 12 months, has increased. However, the same expectation recorded a decrease in the month of June 2017. Please Refer the Graph 02;
Expectation For Reduction Of Corruption
The expectation for reduction of corruption in the country started to fall in March, and the same expectation continued to fall even in the third month, May 2017.
But, the same expectation showed a positive trend in the month of June 2017. Continuing from the month of June 2017, it is shown that the expectation for reduction of corruption has increased in the month of July 2017.
The higher expectation for the reduction of corruption in the country that many expected at the time the current government came into office, has gradually decreased in past months. But, it is significant to note, that this perception took a dramatic fall in October 2016 likely due to the much-publicized issue of the probe by the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises, or COPE.
Sri Lanka appointed a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate the controversial Central Bank bond issue and recommend action in the month of January 2017 and it is significant that the investigation has reached an important stage by the month of July 2017.
Please Refer the Graph 03;
