Brazilian business more optimistic about financial situation: survey

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The number of Brazilian shop owners and businessmen in service industry who reported worsening financial conditions fell to 30 percent in 2017, down 18 percent against 2016,according to a study published Wednesday.

The survey, conducted by the National Confederation of Shop Owners (CNDL) and the Credit Protection Services (SPC), showed that shop owners and businessmen become much more satisfied with their economic situation.

According to the survey, people interviewed expressing improvement in their financial situations jumped to 21 percent in 2017, up 6 percent compared with the previous year. Other 40 percent reported a stable situation.

Interviewees were also asked about the general situation of the Brazilian economy in 2017.

A total of 42 percent considered that the situation got worse in 2017, down from 62 percent in 2016. While 35 percent said the situation remained stable and 14 percent said the economy improved, up from 9 percent in 2016.

"It seems that the Brazilian businessmen begin to see the possibility of a low, gradual resumption of the business," said SPC chief economist Marcela Kawauti.

Kawauti regards the slight improvement as the following of the "four years of turmoil," in which unemployment and an unstable political scenario destroyed the business environment. Enditem