The PMA Business Cycle Index (PMABCI) – November 2022

Stability in West Bank and improvement in Gaza Strip

The results of the PMA Business Cycle Index (PMABCI) revealed that the overall index for Palestine has increased from -4.3 points in October to –1.8 points in November, due to an improvement in Gaza, and stability in the West Bank.

The overall index in the West Bank stabilized at around 0.8 points in November, due to stability in most indices, except for the construction index, which decreased (from -1.0 to -2.0). However, the manufacturing index remained stable at around 3.4 points, the trade index at -2.6 points, the agriculture index at 2.2 points, and the transportation and storage index at -0.4 points. Finally, the IT and communications index is stable at 0.4 points, and the renewable energy index at -0.1 points.

In general, firms’ owners in West Bank indicated an increase in production and sales levels and a decrease in inventory levels. Whereas, their expectations were negative about production and employment levels for the next three months.

In Gaza Strip, the overall index increased from -28.8 points in October to -15.1 points in November, due to the increase in most of the indices during this month, where the manufacturing index increased (from –2.2 to 1.8), the agriculture index increased (from -3.6 to -1.2), construction index (from -8.2 to –2.9), and trade index improved (from -11.4 to -8.0). On the contrary, renewable energy decreased (from -3.7 to -4.8). In the meanwhile, transportation and storage index, and IT and communications indices were stabilized at around 0.0 points, and -0.1 points, respectively.

Firms’ owners in Gaza Strip indicated an increase in production and sales levels, in addition to an increase in inventory level. However, their expectations were positive about production and employment levels for the next three months.