A record number of German companies believe economies in foreign markets where they do business will improve despite rising political and trade risks, a survey published on Friday showed. Some 40 percent of the 5,100 companies surveyed during March and April by the DIHK Chambers of Commerce and Industry said they expected positive economic developments in foreign markets over the next 12 months, the highest percentage since the survey began in 2015.
Only 10 percent said they expect economic deterioration and 50 percent forecast no change. "Companies are seeing more barriers to trade, and political crises and economic uncertainties like Brexit are also noticeable," DIHK said in its World Business Outlook survey.