SEOUL, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Sentiment among South Korean businesses over economic situations improved for the second straight month due to export recovery, central bank data showed Thursday.

The business survey index (BSI) in all industries increased by 2 points over the month to 71 in April, according to the Bank of Korea.

The improved sentiment was attributable to a recovery in exports, which kept growing for the sixth consecutive month through March.

The index, however, hovered below the long-term average of 77 amid lingering economic uncertainties such as the faltering housing market and sluggish private consumption.

The BSI among manufacturers went up 2 points to 73 in April compared to the previous month, while the index for non-manufacturers, including construction companies, added 1 point to 69.

The index below 100 indicates pessimists outnumbering optimists. It was based on a survey of 1,847 manufacturers and 1,448 non-manufacturers conducted between April 9 and 17.

Manufacturers selected sluggish domestic demand, economic uncertainty and higher raw material prices as key barriers to doing business, while non-manufacturers picked domestic demand slump, uncertain economic situations and higher labor costs.

The economic sentiment index, which reflects sentiment among both businesses and consumers, stood at 94.5 in April, up 2.3 points from the previous month. Enditem

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