Great optimism among business service providers

Most providers of business services expect to receive more orders in the fourth quarter of 2006 and to increase their turnover. The percentage of optimists among the business service providers has increased compared to the previous quarter.

In the fourth quarter of 2006, Dutch business service providers indicated that the orders and turnover in the third quarter had improved. On balance, most business service providers feel that orders received are ‘good’ given the time of the year.

Business service providers are very positive about employment in their branch. 37 percent of the business service providers expected to hire more people in the fourth quarter of 2006. Only 5 percent of the business service providers expected to reduce their work force. Entrepreneurs in the computer branch indicated a shortage of labour.

The business service providers became even more positive about the economic climate, with the indicator reaching its highest value since the series began in the first quarter of 2003.

Each quarter, the economic survey on business services observes the mood among entrepreneurs in three branches: lease companies, computer service bureaus and other business services (including temp agencies, advertisers, cleaners, engineers, accountants and administration bureaus).

Opinion on orders received in business services