Advertisement
China economy
China

China’s slowdown saps CEOs’ confidence as only 1 in 4 feels upbeat about their business outlook this year

Only 25 per cent of mainland company bosses questioned in PwC survey are very upbeat about their firms reporting an increase in revenue in 2016

2-MIN READ2-MIN
Weak global commodity prices have exacerbated the bearish sentiment about China’s business outlook. Photo: Xinhua
Daniel Renin Shanghai

Fewer chief executives of Chinese companies are upbeat about the outlook of their businesses in 2016 because of worries about weaker global demand and slower domestic economic growth, a new survey shows.

The survey of more than 140 company bosses on the mainland, carried out by professional services company PwC, found that only 25 per cent of respondents were very confident that their firms would report an increase in revenue in 2016.

For China’s struggling economy, 2016 may be worse than 2015

Only 25 per cent of company bosses on the mainland are confident that their firms will see revenue growth in 2016, says a new PwC survey. Illustration: Craig Stephens
Only 25 per cent of company bosses on the mainland are confident that their firms will see revenue growth in 2016, says a new PwC survey. Illustration: Craig Stephens
This compares with last year, when 36 per cent of chief executives said they were highly confident about recording revenue growth in 2015.
Despite experiencing an economic slowdown and noted volatility in domestic and foreign financial markets, executives in China are devising strategies to drive future growth
Elton Huang, senior partner at PwC

The drop in confidence of chief executives is the latest sign that mainland businesses are preparing for a tough time this year.

Advertisement

Fears are growing about more job cuts and bankruptcies at companies in the world’s most populous nation as they fall victim to a sluggish global market and a lacklustre domestic economy.

However, companies in China were making efforts to maintain their competitiveness in the challenging environment, Elton Huang, a senior partner at PwC said.

Advertisement

“Despite experiencing an economic slowdown and noted volatility in domestic and foreign financial markets, executives in China are devising strategies to drive future growth,” Huang said.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x