SA business leaders see upturn next May

South African business leaders expect “significant” economic recovery from May next year – well ahead of most of the rest of the world – according to a 15-country survey by Regus covering 11 000 companies. Only India’s prediction of March 2010 is more optimistic, with the rest of the world expecting recovery in the fourth quarter of 2010. With an upturn in business comes increased demand for freight and logistics services – good news for FTW readers. According to the Regus BusinessTracker, South Africa’s corporate outlook on economic recovery coincides with an increase in profits that surpassed the international average: 46% of South African firms saw profits increase last year, versus 40% of companies globally. Similarly, 49% of South African companies experienced an increase in revenues last year (versus 46% globally). Even among those that experienced a decrease, 65% expect revenues to rise in 2010. Overall, some 81% of South African companies of all sizes indicated that they expected revenues to increase next year. Small South African firms are more optimistic about next year’s figures than their larger counterparts.