YEREVAN. - The business activity index and business atmosphere evaluated by the Central Bank of Armenia in the first quarter of 2013 has moved in opposite directions. According to the Central Bank of Armenia, the business activity index in Armenia has decreased compared to the previous quarter, while the business atmosphere in Armenia has improved.

The business activity index was 59.8%, which is 0.8 percent reduction compared to the previous quarter. However, it should be noted that in Armenia’s industrial sphere there is a significant increase of business activity index (62.6%, or 5.7% increase). Instead, the sub-indexes in the construction, trade and services have decreased.

At the same time, the business activity index in the first quarter of 2013 was 55.4, which is by 5.7 points higher than in the previous quarter. Armenia’s business climate has improved in all areas, even in construction.