Beirut: Beirut Traders Association and Bankmed released the results of "Beirut Traders Association - Bankmed Investment Index," for the second quarter of 2015. The index, which is backed by the technical support of the Central Administration of Statistics in Lebanon, aims at assessing the reality of the wholesale sector in Lebanon.
The index reflects the investment climate in Lebanon, shedding light on the commercial activity and overall economic situation. The results for the second quarter of 2015 indicate a continued deterioration in both, the "Turnover Component" and the "Intention to Invest Component," revealing an intention to disinvest in the near future.
The "Turnover Component," which tackles the activity during the quarter under study, recorded a real decline amounting to 7.16% in comparison with the second quarter of 2014. This drop is attributed to the continued downturn in the purchasing power of domestic consumers. It also reflects the negative results that were recorded in the retail sector at the beginning of 2015 (an annual -5.05%) in addition to deteriorating activity in most wholesale sectors during the second quarter.
According to the published results, the Wholesale of Medical Equipment and Spare Parts, Wholesale of Phone and Communication Equipment, Wholesale of Pastry, Chocolate, Sweets, Jams and Kernels, and the Wholesale of Computers witnessed a recognized improvement in their wholesale activity. On the other hand, the Wholesale of Household Electrical Equipment, Wholesale of Construction Materials, and the Wholesale of Clothes witnessed a notable decline in their wholesale activity.
The deterioration witnessed in commercial activity affected the "Intention to Invest Component," which denoted intentions to disinvest among a number of wholesale sectors. However, the Wholesale of Consumer Goods Sector and Wholesale of Sanitary Paper and Napkins Sector indicated, once again, an intention to increase investment.
The "BTA - Bankmed Investment Index" has become an important indicator of the activity in the commercial sector as it assists the caretakers in making educated decisions in their future investments.
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© Press Release 2015
