In April 2008 the consumer survey conducted by the National Statistics Institute registered an increase of pessimism about major economic processes in the country in comparison with the expressed opinions three months before.

The consumer confidence indicator was by 2.2 percentage points below January level, which was attributed to lower confidence expressed by city residents - minus 3.4 percentage points.

Consumers assessments as regard to the ongoing changes in the financial situation of households over the last 12 months as well as their expectations for the next 12 months are also getting more unfavourable, a tendency that was again more obvious in cities.

The total balance assessment of households budget was more pessimistic, down 1.2 percentage points against January in cities and by 1.0 percentage points in rural areas.

Increased consumer pessimism is also recorded as far as current development of the general economic situation in the country is concerned, as well as in expectations for the next 12 months. Those balance indicators fell by 8.1 and 6.9 percentage points respectively compared to January.

In April consumers continued to think prices are raising. People are also worried about inflation, the survey also showed.

Expectations about prices over the next 12 months are also pessimistic - 37.8% of people think prices will more rapidly and 42.2% say they will be rising at the same rate.

The survey, however, shows a positive tendency as far as savings and intentions to buy a vehicle are concerned.

Photi: BGNES