PMA Business Cycle Index (PMABCI) – November 2024

Significant decline in the overall index

The PMA Business Cycle Index (PMABCI) revealed a significant drop in the overall index in Palestine, decreasing to -28.4 points in November 2024, compared to -22.5 points in October 2024. This decline is attributed to heightened uncertainty in the region and a notable decrease in the West Bank index, at a time when the index in Gaza remains at minimal levels due to unprecedented Israeli aggression.

Data indicated that the index in the West Bank fell to -24.4 points in November 2024, compared to -18.2 points in October 2024. The industry index decreased (from -5.0 to -6.9), the construction index dropped (-4.1 to -6.0), while the agriculture index also declined (from -0.3 to -2.3), along with the renewable energy index (from -0.2 to -0.7). Meanwhile, the trade index remained stable at -6.9 points, and the transportation and storage index and the communications and information technology index stabilized at -0.8 points each.

In general, targeted business owners in the West Bank reported declines in production and sales levels, alongside an increase in inventory. Business owners also expressed negative expectations regarding production levels for the next three months.

As for Gaza, the ongoing Israeli aggression has resulted in severe negative impacts, reflecting the dire economic conditions. Consequently, it is expected that Gaza's index will remain at its lowest levels, around -100 points, during the period of Israeli aggression, which has persisted since the beginning of October 2023 up until the time this report was prepared.