Doha: The latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey data from Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) compiled by S and P Global signaled another solid improvement in business conditions in Qatar's non-energy private sector in November. Demand for goods and services increased further, supporting growth in total activity. The 12-month outlook for activity remained stronger than the long-run survey trend as firms mentioned Qatar's attractiveness to international investment. According to Qatar News Agency, the labour market remained very strong, with another near-record increase in employment and sharp wage inflation as firms sought to attract and retain experienced staff. Overall cost inflation retreated from October's four-year high, while firms continued to cut their own prices to boost competitiveness. The Qatar PMI indices are compiled from survey responses from a panel of around 450 private sector companies. The panel covers the manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail, and services sectors, and reflects the structure of the non-energy economy according to official national accounts data. The headline Qatar Financial Centre PMI is a composite single-figure indicator of non-energy private sector performance. It is derived from indicators for new orders, output, employment, suppliers' delivery times, and stocks of purchases. The PMI edged up to 52.9 in November, from 52.8 in October, signaling stronger overall growth in business conditions in the non-energy private sector economy. The rise in the headline figure in the latest survey took it further above the long-run survey average of 52.3 (since April 2017). The rise in the PMI since October mainly reflected a faster increase in business activity, a survey-record increase in stocks of purchases, and a softer improvement in suppliers' delivery times. Inflows of new business expanded for the eleventh month running, linked to improving market conditions, marketing efforts, and developing client relationships. Outstanding business decreased for the first time in three months as capacity was expanded. Qatar's non-energy private sector labour market remained very strong in November. Over the past three months, employment has risen more quickly than at any other time in the survey history. This was accompanied by further strong wage inflation, with November's increase the third-fastest on record following on from September and October. Companies reported boosting salaries to retain experienced and skilled staff in a highly competitive market. Overall cost pressures remained strong but eased from October's four-year high. In contrast, prices charged for goods and services fell for the fourth month running as firms sought to raise competitiveness. Qatari firms maintained an optimistic outlook for the next 12 months in November. The strength of sentiment was broadly in line with the strong long-run survey trend since 2017. Positive forecasts were linked to domestic economic development, investment, population growth, and demand in the real estate and construction sectors .