How bad is it? Senegal's building blues.

The world financial crunch hit Senegal's building industry hard in January. Senegal's Directorate of Forecasting and Economic Studies (Dpee), in its latest monthly economic note reveals that "the level of buildings and public works, half of the companies interviewed leaders discussed the issue of collection of receivables that still weighed on their activities in January 2009. The same source believes that acute financing difficulties are felt by 33.3 percent of respondents. The Dpee also reveals that 16.7 percent of managers say the business environment has deteriorated due to the lengthening of procedures for public procurement and the lack of markets, resulting in a decrease of profitability.

For services, the Dpee notes that the business environment remains a major concern for 46.2 percent of business leaders surveyed. According to them, the same source continues, "the length of procedures for procurement and land issues have been detrimental to businesses."

The survey concludes that many Senegalese business owners are being hit by cash flow problems that would continue through February.