The Companies Survey for the fourth quarter of 2016 indicates that the business sector continued its rapid growth. The weighted net balance for the fourth quarter is positive to a statistically significant degree in the overall business sector (Figure 1 and Table 1). The net balances are positive in the services, trade, and transport and communication industries, and are negative in the construction and hotels industries. The net balance of manufacturing output was near zero, attesting to stability in activity.  In all industries other than hotels, expectations are for expansion in the first quarter of 2017, while expectations are negative in the hotels industry.


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