Investment environment improved for UK SMEs who are ‘back in the game’ 

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) around the world have seen confidence levels rise and economic outlook improve drastically in the twelve months to mid-2014, according to findings from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) in their second Global SME Performance Review.

The report Back in the Game suggests that government policy and a more favourable investment environment have both had positive effects on UK SMEs.

Charlotte Chung, Senior Policy Advisor at ACCA, explains: ‘Globally, ratings of government policy have generally improved with the recovery, reaching positive territory in the UK for the first time. SMEs have become more confident about the sustainability of fiscal policy in the medium term, which is no doubt encouraging them to create jobs and to invest. The UK, along with Singapore and the UAE, had the most SME-friendly policies among the major ACCA/IMA markets in 2013/14.

‘The investment environment has also improved considerably for SMEs in the UK, but also globally.

Mid-Market Businesses

While SMEs were hit hardest by the economic downturn, they have historically shown greater resilience, compared to their large corporate counterparts. SMEs are seizing new opportunities for economic growth, by embracing innovation, entering new markets and building strong supplier relationships.

According to Raef Lawson, Ph.D., CMA, CPA, IMA vice president of research, ‘Mid-market businesses are the most ambitious and ready for growth.

 

Source: ACCA- Investment environment improved for UK SMEs who are ‘back in the game’

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