A study carried out by the Slovak Statistical Office (ŠÚSR) revealed that 48 percent of Slovak companies registered decreased output in July compared to June, while 33 percent had higher output during the same period and 19 percent remained about the same.
Companies reported that the major obstacles to increased production are a lack of funds, low demand on domestic and international markets, competition from abroad and insecure economic conditions.
Employment reflected the trend in decreased output. The number of employees dropped in 24 percent of companies in July compared to June, while 13 percent of companies said their employment figures rose.
This downturn may be temporary, though. For the August-October period, 51 percent of companies predict increased production, while only 7 percent said output would decrease, the ŠÚSR's study said.
11. Sep 1997 at 0:00 | From press reports of TASR and SITA
