Publications

Respondents in Hong Kong indicated that their biggest challenge to profitability this year would be maintaining adequate cash flow, with 37.4% stating this to be the case.

Chinese respondents seemed to have fewer problems with past due receivables and uncollectable debt among other surveyed countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

When questioned about the biggest challenges to their business profitability this year, 36.2% of Australians responded that maintaining adequate cash flow was their key challenge.

The German automotive sector has benefited increasing domestic production as well as a growing share of car production overseas.

The UK car market continued to grow last year. Compared to other UK industries, the automotive sector’s default and insolvency rate is good, with a stable outlook.

The automotive sector was hit hard by the economic crisis, as lower domestic consumption and difficulties accessing finance led to a slump in the car market. However, a rebound began in 2013.

Payments in the Italian automotive industry range between 60-90 to 120-150 days, depending on the end-buyer and whether working capital requirements can be obtained from banks or suppliers.

The downward trend in the French automotive industry appears to have bottomed out, and there are signs of a modest rebound.

Although China ́s economic growth is forecast to slow down in 2014, there are many positive catalysts for the car industry , and we expect a second straight year of strong growth.

The slowdown in the economy has affected Brazil’s automotive sector and payment delays and defaults are expected to worsen in the coming months.

Russia ́s fiscal position still looks robust. Public debt has been relatively stable at 8% since the global credit crisis of 2008/2009 and is even set to decline in 2015.

33.5% of respondents in Brazil reported that maintaining sufficient cash flow levels will be their biggest challenge to their business profitability.

Over 50% of very late payments went uncollected by businesses in the Americas.

Despite a drop in output of 3.4 % to 34.65 million tons, Turkey kept its position as the world’s 8th largest steel producer.

Russian domestic consumption of steel products has developed better than demand from overseas markets.

Mexico’s steel industry is expected to continue its rebound in 2015, thanks to an upturn in construction activities: mainly through housing and infrastructure investment postponed in 2013.

The German steel sector is profiting from robust domestic demand, mainly from the construction and automotive industries, with apparent steel use expected to grow 4.5% in 2014.

In 2014 and 2015 growth is expected to return in the US steel sector, with apparent steel use expected to increase 4% in 2014 and 3.7% in 2015.

Overall, Japanese steel production increased 3.1% year-on-year in 2013. In the first half of 2014 domestic steel orders increased 2.8%, while export orders fell by 9.4%.

On average, payments in the Indian steel/metals industry have remained unchanged since last year, taking between 60 and 90 days.

While production growth in the Chinese steel sector slowed to 3 % in the first half of 2014, the industry is expected to create excess capacity.

When trading with UAE, foreign exporters need to consider the deep cultural and religious basis of life there. Trade successfully with UAE is designed to help exporters expand into this vibrant market

Trade successfully with Poland helps businesses seeking to break into the Polish market and sets out ten simple rules that can make trading relationships with Poland lasting and successful.

'Trade successfully with' reports highlight the opportunities that emerging markets offer foreign exporters, and the steps to take to avoid the pitfalls of trading in new and unknown territories.

Indonesia offers a wealth of business opportunities if you approach the market in the right way. The principles underlined in this report look at how a successful trading relationship can be achieved.

Doing business in Brazil can be challenging if you’re not used to the local business environment. The ten principles set out in this report can help make trading relationships lasting and successful.

A country of infinite diversity, India is a promising market for foreign exporters. The principles highlighted in this report are designed for those venturing into this vibrant business environment.

China is a major economic and trading power. Trade successfully with China sets out ten simple-to-follow rules that can help make your trading relationships with China lasting and successful.

Turkey has traditionally been a strong trade partner for both Europe and Asia. The ten principles underlined in this report look at how a successful trading relationship can be achieved.

Russia remains an important market in the global economy. The ten easy to follow principles of the report are meant to help businesses mitigate risks when exporting to Russia.