Global confidence at pre-crunch levels

BUSINESS confidence among world business leaders has returned strongly, according to the latest PricewaterhouseCoopers Global CEO Survey published yesterday.

Just under half of those surveyed said they were "very confident" that their business would grow in 2011, up from 30 per cent a year ago, and confidence levels have almost returned to what they were before the start of the credit crunch. Executives from India, China and Thailand were among the most confident.

The survey found that among UK chief executives only 15 per cent believe the domestic market presents high growth potential compared with overseas markets.

Frank Blin, executive chairman of PwC in Scotland, said: "The requirement to look at export markets has never been more pressing. Companies that can capture and capitalise on the diverging growth patterns of the emerging economies will be winners in the years ahead."