Containers are stacked at a port in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Nov. 14. Yonhap
A business confidence index rose slightly for the first quarter of next year, but doubts about a weaker currency still remained, a survey showed Sunday.
The business sentiment index (BSI) for the January-March period stood at 77, up slightly from 74 in the previous quarter, according to a survey of 2,208 manufacturing companies here, conducted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
A reading below 100 means the number of companies forecasting the economy will deteriorate beat those expecting an improvement and the index has stood below 100 since the third quarter of 2021, according to the KCCI.
The KCCI said companies were burdened by a weakening local currency and a slower-than-expected recovery in domestic demand, despite an easing of trade uncertainties and growing anticipations for an economic recovery amid strong exports of key items.