Figures released by the States Statistics Unit this week revealed that 29 per cent of businesses claimed that they saw a decrease in activity during the second quarter of this year.
However, some firms showed improvements in areas including their level of optimism for future trading and in and future employment possibilities.
The figures were revealed in the Business Tendency Survey – a quarterly survey completed by firms operating across a range of industries.
In the finance sector, five of the ten indicators – including business activity, profitability and future employment – improved during the last quarter, while four remained at the same level as in March.
In the non-finance sector seven of the ten indicators improved – but all remained negative.
Wholesale and retail enjoyed the most improvement, with eight of the indicators – including business activity and new business – showing improvements, although most were still negative.
And all ten indicators in the construction industry were negative.
Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean said that he welcomed the improvements in some areas of business, but stressed that results for one quarter alone should be viewed with caution.
