Global survey puts SA business at top end of positivity scale

AROUND THREE quarters of South African businesses are optimistic about business in the coming year. Privately-owned businesses in the country were the ninth most positive in the 34-strong list of countries surveyed by Grant Thornton for the 2008 International Business Report (IBR). This is one place behind China and ahead of Denmark, Brazil and the Netherlands. While business confidence in South Africa slipped by one point, the average for the rest of the world was down three points, with 42% of businesses feeling optimistic about the economic outlook for the next 12 months. Most of the top ten other countries on the list are developing economies, Indian and Philippine businesses being the most up-beat, with 95% of businesses optimistic about the year ahead.