BIAC Business Climate Survey 2015 is released

BIAC Business Climate Survey 2015 is released. The Survey for the BIAC national member and observer organizations was carried out by the BIAC Economic Policy Committee in March - April 2015. It examines business perspectives on what may be holding back investment and jobs, and their views on what can be done to remedy the situation.

Current perceptions of countries’ business climates differ significantly. Respondents who perceive their business climates to be excellent or good tend to come from major OECD economies, but also some European countries that have either weathered the crisis well or undertaken significant pro-growth reforms since 2008-09.

Respondents report that investment is being constrained by a number of factors, in particular, the level of taxation and other costs to business, policy uncertainty, regulatory burden, and insufficient global and domestic demand. Business organizations in some countries also report that a special focus on insufficient financing is needed.

According to the survey, the greatest perceived constraint to employment is inadequate or insufficient skills.

Many business respondents call for their governments to reduce taxes and/or reform tax systems; reduce and/or simplify regulation; and enhance trust and confidence in markets and policymaking in order to unlock investment in their countries.

Full text of the BIAC Business Climate Survey 2015 is expected to be available in June 2015.