The recent business sentiment survey has revealed a decline in confidence among businesses, primarily driven by a fall in optimism within the manufacturing and services sectors. The manufacturing sector, which has been the backbone of the economy, is facing challenges due to supply chain disruptions, rising raw material costs, and weakening demand. Similarly, the services sector, which includes industries such as retail, hospitality, and tourism, is also experiencing a slowdown as consumer spending takes a hit. Despite these headwinds, the survey found some positive signs in the employment sector. Businesses are expressing greater confidence in their ability to maintain and even increase their workforce, with the employment conditions index rising to 102 from 101 in March. This suggests that the labor market remains resilient and that businesses are optimistic about their future need for employees.