S. Korean firms expect stronger exports in Q3: survey

SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean companies expect exports conditions to
improve in the third quarter of this year, led by rising demand for steel
overseas, according to a survey released Monday.

The quarterly exports business survey index, released by the Korea International
Trade Association, stood at 108.5 for the third quarter, up from 66.1 for the
current quarter.
It was the first time the index recorded a reading of above 100 since the second
quarter of 2008, when it stood at 128.3. A reading above 100 indicates that
companies expecting the overall exports environment to improve from the previous
quarter outnumber those with a more pessimistic outlook.
The index for steel exports jumped 69.3 points from the quarter before to 122.5,
according to the association, which polled 1,182 firms between June 1 and 15.
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