In industrialized countries, the prospects for business development are assessed with less optimism than in other states
As Deutsche Welle reports, the ifo survey involved more than 1,100 experts from 120 countries. Respondents generally assessed the business situation positively in all regions of the world except the Middle East and North Africa.
At the same time, experts from industrialized countries view the prospects for development with less optimism than their colleagues in transition economies and developing countries. As ifo notes, the so-called expectations index rose particularly in Latin America.
Experts assume that the pace of price growth will accelerate, while the development of world trade, on the contrary, will slow down. In addition, the US dollar is expected to appreciate against other currencies. At the same time, fewer ifo economists than before consider restrictions that countries may impose on exports to be a problem.