Outlook for small and medium-sized enterprises strengthens further
SMEs no longer cutting staff numbers
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The outlook for small and medium-sized industrial enterprises is now better than for the past four years.
Based on a survey conducted by the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (TT), SMEs are now faring better than large industrial corporations. In the second quarter of the year, SMEs performed better than expected.
For the latter part of the year, small and medium-sized firms expect rapid growth in output and exports. Order books are now better than average for the first time since 2000.
Despite the recent improvements, the level of exports is still weaker than normal.
Only five percent of SMEs expect their economic situation to weaken in coming months, whereas 31 percent expect an improvement.
SMEs currently believe that personnel cuts have been sufficient. IT and construction firms are planning to recruit new employees.
According to TT department head Pekka Tsupari, the outlook for small firms is now better than that of large corporations because small companies can more promptly to a shift in the economic cycle.
The situation is particularly bright for SMEs operating in information and communications technology, the chemicals sector, and the forest industry.
One in ten small and medium-sized firms suffered from a shortage of production capacity in July. One in five reported excess capacity.
Helsingin Sanomat
