In a survey on confidence of small and medium businessmen on the economy of their countries Brazil and Saudi Arabia came side by side. The poll, release July 14 by the HSBC bank, shows that the two nations are tied in the third place with 127 points, on a scale ranging from zero to 200. Vietnam (150) and India (128) appear in the first two positions.
According to a press release issued by the bank, the survey was conducted in April and May among 12 emerging nations and involved 3,400 companies, 300 of which were Brazilian. It shows the confidence of small and medium entrepreneurs for the next six months.
The work conducted on a six-monthly basis, is now in its sixth edition, and has included Brazil and Middle Eastern nations for the first time.
The survey also includes Mexico, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. According to the press release by HSBC, in countries with larger domestic markets, such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia, businessmen showed greater confidence, whereas in more export-oriented countries, entrepreneurs are less optimistic.
In the case of Brazil, for instance, 55% of interviewees believe that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) should remain stable, 32% believe that there will be growth, and only 13% believe in a retraction of the economy. According to the bank, wherever businessman confidence is higher, there is also greater optimism concerning economic performance.
Regarding investment, according to HSBC, Brazil ranks first, followed by Saudi Arabia and India. According to the survey, 50% of Brazilian interviewees claimed that they want to increase their investment, 35% intend to maintain the same level as before, and only 12% said that they plan to reduce their investment.
Another issue approached was recruiting of employees. In this respect, Saudi Arabia appeared in the first position as the country in which companies intend to hire the most.
In Brazil, which ranks second, 67% of interviewees stated that they are going to maintain their current employees, 30% expressed an intention to hire, and only 3% claimed that they intend to dismiss employees.
Mercopress
