By Jonathan Peeris | Posted: 30 November 2010 2212 hrs
SINGAPORE :
Businesses in Singapore are the most optimistic about the impact of
globalisation.
That is according to a global survey conducted
by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Over
1,700 members of the organisation from across the world were surveyed
for their opinions on the opportunities and challenges that face
businesses.
Besides being most positive about globalisation,
Singapore and Hong Kong businesses were also more likely to perceive
their domestic regulatory and taxation environment to be business
friendly.
That is according to 97 per cent of businesses in
Singapore and 91 per cent of businesses in Hong Kong.
Only 2
per cent of businesses in Singapore considered the domestic environment
to be unfriendly to businesses, compared with 20 per cent in Malaysia
and 34 per cent in Australasia.
At least 40 per cent of
businesses in the UK, the EU and Africa believe they operate in a
business-unfriendly environment.
Generally, businesses around
the world are expecting growth over the next year. Growth expectations
in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore have increased since 2009 but
remain below levels seen in 2008.
The survey also found that
China remains highly attractive to businesses across the world. Most
Asia-Pacific businesses are looking to either enter China or expand
their market share in the country.
- CNA/ms
cheaper FTs.