Insights

Across the globe, the spread of the coronavirus is having a significant humanitarian impact and increasingly, an economic impact from stock markets to global supply chains. As governments move rapidly to contain the spread of the virus, global employers are also working to address how to manage employees in affected areas while continuing business operations.

A stable and business-friendly political climate in the perfect location to explore the fantastic opportunities offered by numerous south-east Asian markets, Singapore is perhaps the ultimate gateway

The world’s leading survey of mid-market companies, Grant Thornton’s IBR, once again provides vital insight into the health of the global mid-market. These results for H1 2019 reflect the views of nearly 5,000 mid-market companies across 30+ countries interviewed in May and June of this year.

Despite a global downturn in business optimism, confidence is buoyant in ASEAN, reaching the highest level ever recorded by the IBR in Q2 2018.

Business leaders across the Asia Pacific region report a split in optimism heading into 2017. The findings, from Grant Thornton’s most recent quarterly global survey of 2,600 businesses in 37 economies, reveal that emerging and developed Asia Pacific economies are travelling in different directions when it comes to their outlook for the New Year. Globally, the research finds that the majority of business leaders start 2017 in a positive frame of mind.

The developed economies of the Asia Pacific region are driving the region’s export plans, while emerging economies have reported a dip in expectations over the same period, according to Grant Thornton’s International Business Report, a quarterly global business survey of 37 economies.

Asia Pacific is the engine room of the global economy. GDP growth across the region outstrips the West; while the vast majority of European and North American economies are forecast to grow by less than 2% in 2016, many of those in Asia Pacific are looking for at least 3% growth and in some cases more. And while the Chinese economy cools, increasing economic co-operation between its neighbours has the potential to offset this.

The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) trade bloc is a growing force in the world economy and its increasing influence brings with it prime investment opportunities for businesses both inside and outside the region, not least through a stand-out e-health sector.

New research from Grant Thornton’s International Business Report (IBR) reveals that going into 2016, EU businesses remain surprisingly resilient in their outlook despite risks posed by the migrant crisis, terrorism and a possible referendum on the UK’s European Union membership.

India’s young, growing workforce and China’s ageing population put Asia’s two great economies at either end of the age dividend. In this article we explore how businesses will need to respond.

Drawing on interviews from our IBR and other sources this report explores the opportunities and challenges for business growth in Asia-Pacific.