Monthly Archives: April 2014

Quarterly SME Survey – March 2014

SME business confidence eased for the first time in over a year – consistent with persistently soft conditions and trends seen by larger firms. Nevertheless, business activity has improved with conditions rising to their highest since mid-2010 – although still sub-trend. Read more

Australian wine producers on the way to China

China is the world’s biggest market for red wine at 1.87 billion bottles in 2013. Australian wine producers are invited to experience first-hand Chinese tastes, the local industry and build valuable contacts with a wine study tour to China and Hong Kong. Read more

Robots at your service

Robots are on the march. Most of them work on assembly lines, building cars, making electronic devices and processing food, drugs and chemicals. But robots are spreading beyond the factory - a trend that will accelerate in 2014. Read more

China Economic Update – 17 April 2014

There were few surprises in the latest Chinese data release, with the weakening trends evident since the latter part of last year continuing into the first quarter of 2014, with slower economic growth, comparatively soft industrial production and investment data continuing Read more

The world in figures: IT software and services

Software and services firms will have a good year in 2014 according to The Economist Intelligence Unit. Software spending by businesses and government will rise by 6.2%, while the canny consultants who explain how to use the stuff will enjoy revenue gain of 5.7%. Read more

Quarterly Business Survey – March 2014

Business confidence eased from its recent high but remained elevated in the March quarter. Business conditions were soft, but are now much better than 6-months earlier. Forward indicators point to further modest improvements over coming months. Read more