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SL’s manufacturing and services sectors expanded in September

 
The Purchasing Managers’ Indices (PMIs) for both manufacturing and services activities expanded in September 2020, the Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced yesterday (15).

Manufacturing activities expanded at a higher rate in September 2020, compared to August 2020.

This expansion in manufacturing PMI was mainly attributable to the increase in Production and New Orders, especially in manufacturing of food & beverages and textiles & wearing apparel sectors.

Some respondents in the manufacturing of food & beverages and textiles & wearing apparel sectors highlighted that their factories operated at full capacity receiving more new orders with the normalisation of business activities.

Further, the Employment sub index increased in line with these developments. Further, Stock of Purchases sub-index increased at a slower pace in September.

The Suppliers’ Delivery Time sub-index continued to lengthen at a higher pace, due to issues in logistics such as shortage of direct shipping services.

Some respondents highlighted that the restrictions imposed on importation of some categories of goods continued to affect the smooth functioning of manufacturing activities.

The sub-index of overall expectations for manufacturing activities for the next three months declined significantly due to the prevailing situation of spreading of COVID-19 virus in the country, particularly centering to some manufacturing zones.

Meanwhile, services sector continued to expand for the fourth consecutive month with PMI recording 54.3 in September 2020 compared to the previous month. This was underpinned by the expansions observed in New Businesses, Business Activities and Expectations for Activity compared to August 2020 indicating a further recovery of services sector activities.

New Businesses, particularly in financial services and insurance subsectors, improved in September 2020 with the gradual normalisation in economic activities. Business Activities also expanded in September 2020, yet at a slower pace.

Financial services sub-sector was the main contributor to this expansion with increased financial facilities provided to support the businesses, which were negatively affected by the pandemic. Further, respondents in cargo handling services cited that they were able to handle more transshipments in September 2020.