In May 2009 most of the surveyed groups of service providers assessed business conditions as better than in April. Companies operating in the financial and insurance sector were optimistic, although their assessments were not as good as a year before. The most negative assessments, though not as pessimistic as in April, came from companies operating in the transport and warehousing sector. Most of the surveyed managers complained of high labour costs, competition from Polish companies and insufficient demand. But there were no problems with recruiting well-qualified staff.

In May, around 28% of the transport companies surveyed reported an improvement and 26% a deterioration in their situation. Managers signalled a drop in current demand and sales. As a result, the outlook for the companies’ current and future financial situation was pessimistic. Managers also planned to cut jobs and signalled a decrease in prices.
Companies providing financial and insurance services said their situation was slightly better in May than in April: 31% of them reported an improvement and only 8% said their situation deteriorated. Managers signalled a slight increase in demand and sales but assessments of their current financial situation were pessimistic. Prices were expected to rise only slightly and job cuts were expected to be less severe than previously projected.
Businesses offering accommodation and restaurant services assessed their business conditions as slightly better than in April: 24% of them reported an improvement and 18% a deterioration. The outlook for demand, sales and the companies’ financial situation was better than in April; assessments of the current situation were less pessimistic. Prices and employment were expected to rise slightly.
The outlook in the information and communications sector did not change from April, with 24% of businesses reporting an improvement and 10% a deterioration in business conditions. Managers reported a slight decrease in current demand and sales. Delays in collecting receivables were increasingly long. Managers signalled a drop in prices and a slight increase in employment.