PUNE: A survey on industries and services in the district for August has shown a significant recovery in employment as well as levels of production following the ease in the Covid-induced curbs.
Industry representatives said supply chain issues and the fear of new restrictions were impeding better recovery. Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture’s (MCCIA) data showed that August was a month of marked improvement over the past few months, since the onset of the second Covid wave.
Observers said the eased restrictions, especially in services such as malls, restaurants and tourism, brought more people back to work and had a positive effect on economy.
Levels of production and employment improved, as did optimism about returning to pre-Covid levels of employment and production. Of the approximately 150 entities surveyed, 37% of them said they have returned to the pre-pandemic levels of production, an improvement over 30% in July.
The micro and medium-scale industries improved by 5% and 7%, respectively, while large industries and services improved by around 6%.
“Manufacturers are still facing challenges of high raw material prices and the rise in freight charges. Services are slowly picking up. The only concern is the fear of further restrictions,” MCCIA director-general Prashant Girbane said.
