ACCA and IMA Report Biggest Increase Ever in Economic Confidence: Global Economy Survey in Q1 2021

(MENAFN- Mid-East.Info)

• Greater fiscal ease in India significantly improves economic outlook as economic activity regains pre-pandemic levels
• Improved oil revenues, advanced vaccination schemes and a relaxation of social restrictions improves confidence in the Middle East region
• Western Europe, Africa, and the Middle East show more modest increases in confidence, and advanced vaccination schemes boost confidence in Egypt
• However, 'fear' indices reflecting continued uncertainty about customers and suppliers going out of business remain. Near-term cost concerns show an increase, reflecting higher commodity prices and other costs as the global economy recovers

Middle East: A new Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS) of 2021 Q1 by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) found the largest jump in global confidence in the last decade, with the most positive results emerging from North America.

The GECS, the largest regular economic survey of more than 1,000 senior accountants and finance professionals from around the world, has consistently captured the true scale of the global recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic, tracking the drop in confidence since the beginning and a new outlook in confidence triggered by the combined effects of vaccines and the fiscal stimulus.

You can read the full report here or at: https://www.imanet.org/insights-and-trends/global-economic-conditions-survey?ssopc=1.

The Q1 2021 GECS has recorded the biggest jump in global confidence since the survey began 10 years ago. The GECS also shows a significant improvement between the 2020 Q4 survey conducted last December and the 2021 Q1 survey in March.

The authors note that the regulatory approval of several highly effective vaccines against COVID-19 and the subsequent introduction of vaccination plans in many countries has put a permanent solution to the health crisis within reach. Activity indicators covering orders, capital spending, and employment all increased to some degree in the first quarter of this year – closely mirroring the level of confidence in the last quarter of 2019 before the pandemic struck.

Hanadi Khalife, senior director of MEA & India operations at IMA®, said, 'The Q1 GECS report paints a much brighter picture than its immediate predecessor, with confidence rising by the most in the history of the survey. The approval and deployment of several effective vaccines has dramatically improved the prospects of an end to the COVID crisis. The findings paint a hopeful picture for further recovery in the global economy into the second half of 2021.'

'Having suffered the biggest recession for several decades in 2020, the global economy is on course for a relatively quick rebound,' said Michael Taylor, Chief Economist at ACCA. 'The good news is that vaccination plans with continued policy support are on course to lift the global economy out of the COVID abyss this year.'

Raef Lawson, Ph.D., CMA, CPA, IMA vice president of research and policy, noted that the current path to global economic recovery differs from the financial crisis of 2007 to 2009, which resulted in a long period of subdued growth as private sector balance sheets were rebuilt through increased savings.

He further added, 'This crisis is different as its root cause is health and not economy. For now, global COVID-19 infections are high relative to vaccination rates, so risks remain significant. But activity indicators, such as orders, showed a strong relative increase for the Middle East and Africa region. There are likely to be permanent changes in the pattern of spending as one of the many long-term economic consequences of the COVID crisis.'

The 2021 Q1 findings also reveal that overall confidence and orders have improved in all regions, with the exception of Africa. The 'fear' indices - concern about customers and suppliers going out of business - showed mixed results in this survey but both remain above long run averages, underlining continued heightened uncertainty. Additionally, near-term cost concerns showed an increase, reflecting higher commodity prices and other costs as the global economy recovers.   

Middle East

Confidence in the Middle East region increased modestly in Q1 but activity indicators, such as orders, showed a strong relative increase. Confidence was supported by a further rise in oil prices this year, touching US$70 per barrel in March. In addition, some countries in the region including the UAE and Bahrain are well advanced in vaccination schemes. Improved oil revenues and a relaxation from social restrictions suggest an economic recovery. To put that into context, last year, in the Middle East, Africa and Western Europe, over 40% did not expect significant economic recovery until Q4 this year or even later.

About ACCA :

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its  227,000  members and  544,000  students (including affiliates) in  176  countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of  110  offices and centres and  7,571  Approved Employers worldwide, and  328  approved learning providers who provide high standards of learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

ACCA has introduced major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally. Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability.

About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) :

IMA® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) and CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of more than 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Middle East/India.

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