{"id":48805,"date":"2026-01-31T07:25:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T07:25:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/?p=48805"},"modified":"2026-01-31T07:25:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T07:25:58","slug":"standard-chartered-gba-business-confidence-indices-reveal-steady-business-sentiment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/2026\/01\/31\/standard-chartered-gba-business-confidence-indices-reveal-steady-business-sentiment\/","title":{"rendered":"Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Indices reveal steady business sentiment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hong Kong (PinionNewswire) \u2014 Standard Chartered and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) jointly released the latest Standard Chartered Greater Bay Area Business Confidence Index (GBAI), which revealed the business sentiment for most companies in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) remained steady amid persistent external uncertainties in Q4-2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following a rebound in the previous quarter, the GBAI indices showed a moderate quarter-on-quarter retreat in the fourth quarter of 2025. This has been seen as the diminishing returns from front-loading activities as well as from a more cautious investment, financing and capacity utilisation amid ongoing external uncertainties.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4048185\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4048185\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4048185 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Standard-Chartered-GBA-Business-Confidence-Indices-reveal-steady-business-sentiment.jpg?resize=640%2C438&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Hong Kong\" width=\"640\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Standard-Chartered-GBA-Business-Confidence-Indices-reveal-steady-business-sentiment.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hong-Kong-300x205.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hong-Kong-150x103.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 150w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hong-Kong-768x525.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hong-Kong-450x308.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 450w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hong-Kong.jpg?size=577x395&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 577w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1000\/684;\" data-original-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4048185\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hong Kong<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The \u201ccurrent performance\u201d index for business activity in Q4 retreated to 50.3 from 54.7 in the previous quarter, while the \u201cexpectations\u201d index dropped to 51 from 55.7. Despite the drop, both indices remained in expansionary territory, a clear indication that GBA businesses still maintained a broadly positive outlook.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turning to the sub-indices, something of a mixed picture in terms of both \u201ccurrent performance\u201d and \u201cexpectations\u201d was evident for the quarter overall. More specifically, with regard to \u201ccurrent performance\u201d, the \u201cnew orders\u201d, \u201cfixed asset investment\u201d and \u201cprofit\u201d sub-indices all fell below the 50 watershed level. This, however, was seen as a correction following the end of the front-loading process that had occurred in earlier quarters. Subdued growth in loans and fixed asset investment in the Chinese Mainland also added to this slight downward tendency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the contrary, the \u201cexpectations\u201d remained relatively positive, with sub-indices for \u201cproduction\/sales\u201d, \u201cnew orders\u201d and \u201cprofits\u201d all staying in expansionary territory in the fourth quarter last year. Taken together, these upbeat outcomes can be seen as indicating the strong likelihood of robust demand persisting through the first quarter of 2026 and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"a-wrap a-wrap-base a-wrap-8 alignwide\">\n<div class=\"aasdf-single aasdf-225\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4046070 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Standard-Chartered-GBA-Business-Confidence-Indices-reveal-steady-business-sentiment.png?resize=640%2C79&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"79\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Standard-Chartered-GBA-Business-Confidence-Indices-reveal-steady-business-sentiment.png 728w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Work-like-a-PRO-728x90-1-300x37.png?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Work-like-a-PRO-728x90-1-150x19.png?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 150w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Work-like-a-PRO-728x90-1-450x56.png?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 450w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Work-like-a-PRO-728x90-1.png?size=577x71&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 577w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 728px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 728\/90;\" data-original-sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In terms of individual GBA city evaluations, the readings for Hong Kong were well above the survey average. This confirmed that the city\u2019s economic rebound remained very much on course at year-end, with the \u201ccurrent performance\u201d sub-index up 5.7 points to 57.9 and its \u201cexpectations\u201d reading up 1.8 points to 55.4. Overall, this sustained recovery in growth momentum was seen as being driven by the city\u2019s \u201cprofessional services\u201d and \u201cretail\/wholesale\u201d sectors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wing Chu, Deputy Director of Research, HKTDC, said: \u201cFollowing the extension of the trade truce between the US and China, business sentiment in Hong Kong continued to improve, allowing the city to outperform its peer cities across the GBA. This strength stands in contrast to the broader moderation seen in the overall GBA indices amid persistent external uncertainties. This recovery momentum in Hong Kong is expected to remain intact, supported by buoyant business activities and solid performance of the professional services sector \u2013 one of the key factors that underscore the city\u2019s solid recovery trajectory. The HKTDC will continue to proactively support GBA enterprises in leveraging Hong Kong\u2019s professional services to \u2018go global\u2019 and capitalise on opportunities in emerging markets, including those in the Middle East.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to get a greater understanding of the wider aspirations of GBA businesses, the survey also examined their interest in the expansion into the Middle East. Encouragingly, over half of the respondents (54.8%) had an active interest in expanding into the Middle East, with the UAE (53.9%) and Saudi Arabia (53.2%) selected as the top two priority markets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digging deeper into these findings, of the companies that have already started or are interested in expanding into the Middle East, nearly 60% were engaged in trading\/ distribution activity. This was followed by manufacturing (42.7%) and logistics\/ storage (28.3%).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the widespread optimism over the emerging opportunities in the Middle East, many GBA businesses were also aware that they faced a number of challenges when it came to ensuring success. Overall, the top three concerns here were: \u201clack of understanding of local laws and regulations\u201d (50.4%), \u201copaque local regulatory environment and restrictions on foreign investment\u201d (43.1%) and \u201ccultural and business differences\u201d (42%).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crucially, in order to help manage such challenges, some 99.2% of respondents saw Hong Kong\u2019s world\u2011class services as set to play pivotal roles in ensuring the success of their Middle East expansion plans. Particular emphasis was placed on the decisive contribution of the city\u2019s professional services sector, especially when it came to successfully navigating local regulatory and compliance requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hunter Chan, Economist, Greater China, Standard Chartered, said: \u201cWith increasingly complex geopolitical risks, global corporates not only actively diversify their supply chains but also explore new markets in recent years, thereby giving rise to numerous emerging trade corridors. The thematic survey found that the GBA corporates are interested in entering the Middle East, which aligns with Hong Kong Government\u2019s policy focus to set up the \u2018GoGlobal Task Force\u2019 to leverage Hong Kong\u2019s advantages as a \u2018go global\u2019 platform, and deepen economic ties with the Middle East. The survey also found that almost all respondents indicate that Hong Kong services are needed to help in expansion into the Middle East to address the challenges posed by local regulations and cultural differences. With its advantage in professional services, Hong Kong can further leverage its unique position as a \u2018super-connector\u2019, becoming a springboard for enterprises to develop overseas markets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About the GBAI<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The GBAI is the first forward-looking quarterly survey in the market that looks at the business sentiment and synergistic effects in cities and industries across the GBA. It is compiled based on a survey of more than 1,000 companies in the GBA covering the manufacturing and trading, retail and wholesale, financial services, professional services and innovation and technology sectors. The index enables investors and businesses to better understand the current business climate, gauge future performance prospects and formulate their market strategies for the GBA.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Related materials<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Index Report:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HKTDC Research: <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Photos download: <\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"a-wrap a-wrap-base a-wrap-6\">\n<div class=\"aasdf-single aasdf-225\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4046070 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Standard-Chartered-GBA-Business-Confidence-Indices-reveal-steady-business-sentiment.png?resize=640%2C79&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"79\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Standard-Chartered-GBA-Business-Confidence-Indices-reveal-steady-business-sentiment.png 728w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Work-like-a-PRO-728x90-1-300x37.png?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Work-like-a-PRO-728x90-1-150x19.png?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 150w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Work-like-a-PRO-728x90-1-450x56.png?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 450w, https:\/\/b2726120.smushcdn.com\/2726120\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Work-like-a-PRO-728x90-1.png?size=577x71&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 577w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 728px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 728\/90;\" data-original-sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n#Standard #Chartered #GBA #Business #Confidence #Indices #reveal #steady #business #sentiment<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hong Kong (PinionNewswire) \u2014 Standard Chartered and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) jointly released the latest Standard Chartered&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48806,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mzansi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48805","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48805"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48805\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48807,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48805\/revisions\/48807"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48805"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48805"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}