International business reports
In this section you will find information about seminars and publications.
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International Business Reports 2012
International Business Reports 2011
International Business Reports 2010
International Business Reports 2009
International Business Reports 2012
Capturing opportunity: Cleantech business booms around the world
The global cleantech sector has emerged as viable, thriving and future-oriented. Whereas once activity in the sector was fuelled by startup companies emerging with marketable ideas, products and services, today a vast array of industrialists, service organisations and utilities see the enormous opportunity in the sector and want a piece of this rapidly expanding market.
Women in senior management: still not enough
The past 12 months have seen women take the lead in some of the toughest economic and political environments: Christine Lagarde became the first female to head the International Monetary Fund, Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, has emerged as the key figure in solving the eurozone sovereign debt crisis and Maria das Gracas Foster has taken over at Petrobras, becoming the first woman to run one of the world’s top five oil companies. Women also head governments in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil and Thailand. This short report, based on our latest International Business Report (IBR), explores why this issue matters, the current state of play and what is being done about it.
The future of Europe: clouded by uncertainty
This report looks at the situation in Europe (and the future of the single currency) from the perspective of businesses within the eurozone, those in the EU but outside of the single currency, and neighbouring countries outside of the EU.
The BRICs: propping up the global economy
This short report looks at the rise of the BRIC economies, their growing importance to the global economy and the trends that will shape their performance. It draws upon the International Business Report (IBR) – a quarterly survey of business leaders, covering 11,500 businesses in 40 economies on an annual basis – as well as forecast data from leading global economists.
International Business Reports 2011
Managing through uncertainty: Food and beverage industry in transition
The global food and beverage industry suffered during the recession and the global malaise that followed. And while measured growth again appears to be the norm in many markets, challenges persist. High commodity prices continue to impact profitability. Consumer spending remains sluggish and limits the ability of food and beverage companies to raise their prices.
Global private equity report 2011
This report is based on the survey of approximately 150 private equity firms on a global basis and surveys their key decision makers on investment activity, portfolio, exit activity, fundraising and overall market outlook. Click here to view.
Global Trends in the Not for Profit Sector
Non-profits around the world faced a major funding crunch during 2009–10. Every time there is an economic slowdown or a financial crisis, societies tend to place humanitarian causes on the backburner. For 2012, most non-profits expect that there will be an improvement in private funding and government grants. This report highlights some of the major trends that will characterise the non-profit sector in the medium term.
The global economy in 2012: a rocky road to recovery
We have witnessed a large amount of political and economic turmoil over the past 12 months, from uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa to the tsunami in Japan and the sovereign debt crisis in the eurozone. Resulting volatility in commodity prices, disruptions to supply chains and general uncertainty has impacted businesses across the globe, slowing the recovery in both mature and emerging markets. Drawing on more than 13,000 interviews in 39 economies, this report explores the trends that will shape the speed and trajectory of the recovery over the next 12 months, including demand, employment, investment, inflation and access to finance.
Focus on: New Zealand
This report focuses on the experiences of privately held businesses in New Zealand and their expectations for the next 12 months.
Doing Business in New Zealand
If you are planning on doing business in New Zealand knowledge of the investment environment and information on the legal, accounting and taxation framework are essential to keep you on the right track.
Preparing for global lease accounting standards
Preparing for global lease accounting standards examines the status of the proposed lease accounting standards and offers real estate executives’ perceptions—from Australia, Canada, India, the UK, and the United States—of the standards’ potential impact.
Canterbury earthquake recovery guide
If the relentless and catastrophic reoccurrence of natural global disasters hasn’t caught your attention, perhaps the Canterbury earthquakes of 4 September 2010 and 22 February 2011, their aftershocks and the experience of our neighbours across the Tasman with their devastating floods, have? Whether your business is already suffering at the hands of recent natural disasters or you are planning for ‘what if’, now is the time to develop a disaster recovery plan for your business.
Reporting under the IFRS for SMEs
This publication sets out a realistic illustration of financial statements prepared in accordance with the IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs), along with extensive guidance notes to explain the underlying requirements and alternative disclosure and presentation approaches available. For further information please contact our National Technical Director: mark.hucklesby@nz.gt.com or click here to view the full report.
Mergers and acquisitions: global prospects for growth
Backed by stronger credit and equity markets going into 2011, privately held businesses (PHBs) show renewed confidence about their M&A plans as the global economy gradually emerges from the downturn. Ambitious businesses now sense that the combination of a more stable global economy and receptive vendors is generating interesting acquisition opportunities. Click here to view the full report
International Business Reports 2010
Focus on: Retail
The retail industry suffered during the global economic downturn as declining GDP growth and falling personal disposable income hit retail sales. Having slowed down in 2008, global non-food retail sales growth contracted by around five per cent in 2009 as fears over fiscal austerity measures and unemployment impacted on consumer confidence. The latest report shows that Privately held businesses (PHBs) in the retail sector were markedly more confident about their economic prospects for 2010 than 2009. Click here to view the full report.
Focus on: Manufacturing
The manufacturing sectors of many economies across the globe have led the recovery from the deepest recession since World War II. The collapse of world trade, a lack of access to credit and declining consumer confidence saw demand plummet across the sector, but in recent months output and orders have increased dramatically. Click here to view the full report.
Focus on: Healthcare
This latest report reveals that privately held businesses (PHBs) in the global healthcare sector are the least confident about their economic prospects for the year; a balance of just -18 per cent are optimistic this year. This is pessimism is not necessarily representative of New Zealand. In many countries there still remains no viable alternative to private healthcare, but businesses still noted decreases in the purchase of prescription drugs in 2009 as consumers tightened their belts. Click here to view the full report.
2010 Global Overview
Since 2008, privately held businesses (PHBs) worldwide have been faced with almost unprecedented challenges and risks as a consequence of the economic crisis. Mid/end 2009 was a turning point with the emergence of “green shoots” supporting a global perception that the worst was over. Indeed, the future was looking brighter for business, as revealed in this latest report.
Focus on: Transport
The transport sector has suffered more than many in the economic downturn with rising fuel prices impacting on costs and reduced levels of private consumption impacting on demand for consumer goods and holidays. It is estimated that global transport market have declined by a staggering 20 per cent over the course of 2009, with sub-sectors such as commercial vehicle manufacturers particularly badly hit.
Focus on: Hospitality
(PHBs) in the hospitality sector are markedly more confident about their economic prospects for the year; a balance of +32 per cent are optimistic this year compared to +2 per cent last year. Businesses, on average across all sectors, are more optimistic this year (+24 per cent) than they were in 2009 (-16 per cent).
Taxing times
Governments around the world are under pressure to reduce the levels of national debt that have accumulated during the deepest and longest recession for a generation. This need to raise finance has concentrated media attention on the amount of tax paid by businesses. Our latest report explores the global tax climate and burden of PHBs.
Focus on: Cleantech
Privately held businesses in the cleantech sector are markedly optimistic about their economic prospects for the coming year as the importance of this sector to the world economy continues to grow.
Focus on: Construction and real estate
Confidence rises in the construction and real estate sectors with it being in the top 10 sectors to feel most buoyant in 2010.
2010 Focus on: New Zealand
This report outlines the views of privately held businesses as New Zealand emerges from its first recession since 1998.
Emerging markets: leading the way to recovery
The importance of the emerging markets to the world economy has been brought into sharper focus as the world emerges from recession. The Grant Thornton emerging markets opportunity index ranks the level of opportunity for investors in 27 emerging economies across the globe. Click here to view the full report.
Mergers and acquisitions: prospects for global recovery
Privately held businesses (PHBs) are naturally cautious about their M&A plans for 2010 given the challenging economic conditions and difficulty in raising debt finance they experienced in 2009, but there are some encouraging signs for the future.
International Business Reports 2009
2009 Focus on: New Zealand
New Zealand is experiencing one of the deepest recessions in its history. Q1 2009 marked the fifth consecutive quarter of contraction in the economy as investment and consumer spending plummeted.
2009 Global Overview
There are signs that the worst of the recession may be over as massive fiscal stimulus measures, loosened monetary policies and bank bailouts have underpinned demand and confidence. While the recession may be easing, recovery is likely to be slow and patchy.
Focus on: health and education
Reduced confidence of economic prospects in 2009 dramatically affected the ‘big decisions’ of privately held businesses (PHBs) in the health and education sector.
Focus on: transport
Global recession curbs demand and has exposed weaknesses, including significant over-capacity in some parts of the industry.
Focus on: manufacturing
Manufacturers worldwide tighten their belts, reducing production lines, introducing a shorter week and shedding jobs where necessary.
Focus on: financial services
The upheaval in global markets has created a climate of great uncertainty for the financial services sector.
Focus on: hospitality
Hospitality sector is suffering from the retrenchment in the face of pressure on personal incomes and increasing corporate financial concerns.
Focus on: retail
Hardest-hit sectors are those vulnerable to housing market slump.
Focus on: construction and real estate
Tough conditions and declining confidence.
Focus on: technology
Growth slows as businesses cut technology spend.
Business planning
Navigating the global downturn.
Mergers and acquisitions
Looking beyond the global downturn.
Other reports of interest
Tax: higher rates on the horizon
Governments around the world are facing the same dilema - the need to generate revenue to pay off debt used to support key players in their market. The burden of increased tax revenue is likely to fall on privately held businesses.
Expatriate Tax Guide
Taxation of Expatriate employees in New Zealand.
Real Estate Guide
Investing in real estate in New Zealand.