Chisinau, February 17 (Infotag). Analytical Center Expert-Grup has worked out Moldova’s Consumer Confidence Index, a measure of consumer optimism toward current economic conditions.

Speaking Thursday at an Infotag news conference Valery Prokhnitsky, Director of the Center, said the Index has been developed under the namesake program and will be adjusted quarterly.

The Index will vary between minus 100 and plus 100 set at on the basis of a survey of 440 households. The index considers consumer opinion on both, current conditions and future expectations; the current reading is minus 30.6 where “minus” indicates negative sentiment toward the national economy, Prokhnitsky explained.

“January saw negative reaction of consumers in practically every department triggered, first of all, by rise of retail prices. In the neighbouring Ukraine CCI also appeared with a “minus”,” he added.

The Consumer Confidence Index is closely watched because many economists consider consumer optimism an important indicator of the future health of the economy.

For more information visit www.expert-grup.org.

Expert-Grup specializes in political, economic, European Integration and human development research; in partnership with ADEPT association the Center produces National Human Development Report 2005-2006 and monitors the implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan.