SEOUL (XINHUA) – Sentiment among South Korean businesses over economic situations improved in August due to the eased measures against the COVID-19 pandemic, central bank data showed yesterday.
The business sentiment index (BSI) added one point over the month to 81 in August, marking the first increase in four months.
The improved sentiment came as the government lifted all anti-virus measures, except an indoor mask mandate in April, and thus contributing to boosting the services industry.
The BSI among manufacturers stood at 80 in August, unchanged from the previous month, while the index for non-manufacturers gained two points to 82. The index below 100 indicates pessimists outnumbering optimists. It was based on a survey conducted between August 9 and 17.
