BURNING ISSUES
The tax regime remains the main business concern, compounding the burning issues facing the corporate community. Forty-five percent of polled executives identify high taxes as their primary concern – although this marks a notable 13 point drop from April (58%).
RESPITE FOR TOP TWO CONCERNS
Anxiety in corporate circles eases on the tax and economic fronts in May
In the latest LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey, workforce standards emerge as the second most pressing concern with three in 10 (30%) of respondents expressing their discontent.
Despite the official and ongoing deflationary milieu, inflation held its position as the third most cited concern for the second consecutive month – this time around, jointly. According to the exclusive survey, 28 percent of respondents (down from 32% in the previous month) say it is a concern.
State sector red tape ranks equal third with over a quarter (28%) highlighting it as a burning issue, which reflects a spike of 10 percentage points. Close behind is financial instability, as mentioned by 27 percent – that’s one point higher than in the month prior.
On a national scale, a large majority (70%) continue to view the economy as the foremost worry, reflecting a decline of eight percentage points from April.
Anxiety over the cost of living has fallen steeply to 25 percent – from two-thirds of the survey population in the month prior. In contrast, the brain drain rose sharply, with a quarter flagging it as a concern – a 12 point increase from the month prior.
Meanwhile, the plight of daily wage earners ranks fourth with 20 percent of poll participants citing it as a worry. Tied in fifth place are the prevailing political culture and national policy – each mentioned by 15 percent of respondents.
– LMD
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