KYIV, Nov 3 – The business activity expectations index (BAEI), calculated by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) on a scale from zero to 100, decreased by 0.5 points in October to 49.6 points, its neutral level of 50 points, the central bank said on Wednesday.

"Persisting considerable security risks, the destroyed production facilities of some companies, logistical hurdles faced by exporters, narrowing investment demand, rebounding fuel price growth, and substantial shortages of qualified staff constrained economic activity and worsened expectations," the regulator said, listing the negative factors.