Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian consumer business and economic conditions increased in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the previous quarter, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) said.

Business tendency index in the fourth quarter of 2011 was recorded at 106.92, meaning that the business condition improved with the business players` optimism lower than the previous quarter, acting BPS chief Suryamin said here on Monday.

The business condition improved in all sectors, except agricultural, husbandry, forestry and fishery sectors with business tendency index score 98.14, he said.

"The highest increase in business condition was found in the construction sector with business tendency index score 111.51," he said.

The business condition also improved as a result of an increase in business income with business tendency index score 108.27, use of production capacity 105.53 and average working hours 106.32, he said.

Suryamin predicted the agricultural, husbandry, forestry and fishery sectors would record the highest business tendency index score in the first quarter of 2012 with the service sector recording the lowest score.

He said consumer tendency index in the fourth quarter of 2011 reached 108.44, suggesting an increase with consumer`s optimism lower than the previous quarter. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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