2024-04-18 17:07:44
BOLZANO. The spring survey of Barometer of the economy dell’Economic research institute of the Bolzano Chamber of Commerce photograph a very good climate of trust in the services sector. In the transport however, greater variability is observed between the individual sectors: optimism definitely prevails among ski lift managers, while the prospects in the freight transport sector are characterized by greater uncertainty.
The climate of confidence in the services sector is currently very positive, so much so that almost all companies declare themselves satisfied with the profitability achieved in 2023 and look forward to the current year with confidence. The growth in turnover is driven by larger companies and benefits from the increase in prices applied to customers. Optimism prevails particularly in the branch of business serviceswhere the evaluations on the exercise 2023 and on the current one they are really good for over two out of three companies.
The opinions relating to the profitability achieved last year are decidedly positive also in credit and insurance sectordespite the credit institutions reporting a decrease in loans and worsening of customer solvency. In the coming months, banks expect a drop in interest rates, which will favor the recovery of demand for loans from families and businesses.
However, the assessments expressed in the report appear more cautious real estate branchwhose business was affected last year decline in demand connected to the surge in the cost of credit and that of personal services. In both sectors, almost a fifth of companies judge the profitability achieved last year negatively, but in 2024 the situation should improve significantly.
In the sector of transport the climate of trust is heterogeneous. The ratings of ski lift managers benefit from very positive conclusion to the winter season: this year all operators are confident in satisfactory profitability and one in three predicts a really good operating result, also due to the easing of cost growth.
In the passenger transport beyond nine out of ten companies evaluate the past financial year positively. Even in 2024 profitability should be at least satisfactory in 90 percent of cases and an increase in employment and investments is expected, especially in new motor vehicles.
In the freight transport last year’s profitability and turnover assessments are overall positive, particularly among larger companies. The expectations for the 2024 they are instead characterized by greater uncertaintywith many businesses anticipating a reduction in turnover and investment.
Around a quarter of operators expect an unsatisfactory operating result.
The president of the Bolzano Chamber of Commerce, Michl Ebnerreiterates the need to solve the problem of limitations on freight transport along the Brenner axis: «The transit bans imposed unilaterally by Austria only worsen a situation already complicated by the rehabilitation work on the Lueg bridge and are therefore unacceptable. The Chamber of Commerce will continue to defend with conviction the interests of South Tyrolean hauliers and to demand that the European principle of free movement of goods is effectively applied.»
2024-04-18 17:07:44