The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) announced yesterday that the confidence of the industrial entrepreneur is the highest since January 2014. The Industrial Confidence Index (Icei) recorded 53.7 points in September, an increase of 2.2 points in compared to August.

The index rose for the fifth consecutive month and accumulated growth of 16.9 points in the period. Compared to the same month 2015, the increase was 18 points. The indicators vary in the range 0 to 100. Figures above 50 indicate better situation or optimistic expectations.

High Numbers

In September, all industries (mining , manufacturing and construction) recorded confidence levels above 50 points, the first time since March 2014. In the construction industry, the sectors construction of buildings and infrastructure works also showed levels above 50 points.

In mining, the two sectors considered (metallic mineral extraction and nonmetallic mineral extraction) also noted business confidence, in addition to the processing segment that, from a total of 27 points, had 21 with rates of 50 points or more, said CNI.

The survey was conducted with 3,155 companies - small 1,247, 1,179 medium-sized and large 729 - between 1st and September 14th, 2016.