AHK World Business Outlook Spring 2023
Economic expectations of German companies abroad
From the perspective of German companies at their international locations, there is no powerful upswing in sight for the global economy. There are great challenges due to geopolitical risks and ever-flaring uncertainties on the financial markets. Inflation rates are still high in many countries, which is dampening demand and prompting many central banks to continue their tight monetary policies. Higher interest rates make corporate financing more difficult.
Nevertheless, there are positive impulses: energy prices have fallen significantly in recent months, which has led to a better economic development particularly in Europe than was expected in the preliminary survey in autumn 2022. Global supply chains have stabilised, and fewer and fewer companies are affected by disruptions. This is due, among other things, to the end of China's zero-covid policy. In addition, the world's largest economy - the USA - is still proving robust despite high inflation and increased interest rates. Overall, German companies at their international locations are more positive about the future than they were in autumn 2022.
However, expectations remain subdued - this is shown by the assessments of the more than 5,100 companies surveyed by the AHKs in spring 2023.
Key figures that capture results for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain
AHK Business Outlook Spring 2023
The perspective of German companies on the global economy
Despite the existing global risk factors, companies' businesses are proving to be robust. This is reflected in the consistently positive business situation. The easing supply chain disruptions and lower energy prices stabilise the situation in large parts of the economy. Every second company (50 percent) assesses its business situation in spring 2023 as good (autumn 2022: 45 percent), for 40 percent current business is satisfactory. Every tenth company (unchanged from autumn 2022: ten percent) reports a poor business situation.
Source:
German Chamber of Industry and Commerce
International Economic Policy, Foreign Trade Law
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