Auckland small and medium businesses have indicated a
gloomy outlook for the next six months, suggesting in the
latest Auckland Business Chamber Confidence Survey that the
economy has plateaued.
The early April survey provides
a snapshot of the views of business owners and managers from
across Auckland SMEs from sole traders through to the 1-19
employee enterprises which make up the bulk of the sector
and those that employ more than 20 staff.
“It is not
a rosy picture with only 20 per cent of respondents thinking
the economy will get better, drowned out by an overwhelming
57 per cent of respondents saying the economy is going to
Wednesday, 3 March 2021, 4:30 pm
It’s pleasing to have other leaders of business put
their hands up to say they want to play their role in
economic recovery. The priority for small and medium
businesses right now is to know the conditions that will let
Auckland and the country move down alert levels, says
Auckland Business Chamber CEO, Michael Barnett.
“We
all want to get borders open, but with the risk situation
changing daily the SME sector are focussed on the immediate
issues. Tell us the criteria to move Auckland out of Level 3
to get to Level 2 and back to Level 1. Tell us if the
Thursday, 28 January 2021, 4:47 pm
New Zealand’s economic and business outlook, is a game
of two halves, says Auckland Business Chamber CEO Michael
Barnett.
The Chamber’s latest business confidence
survey shows a resounding optimism about economic recovery.
80 per cent of enterprises, particularly larger operations
in construction, trades, technology and even hospitality
indicated they are expecting to do the same or better in the
next six months and are looking at expansion and
hiring.
It was the medium sized businesses who still
expressed uncertainty and caution.
“We have
enterprises on one side of the field who are optimistic and
confident. They are operating agile strategies and are