-

Standard Chartered Research Finds Continued Confidence in Growth Outside Home Markets Amongst European and US Companies

Asia remains a major growth region with Africa and Middle East seeing incremental increase

LONDON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A second research study by Standard Chartered on the international growth strategies and challenges that CFOs and Treasurers in the US, the UK, Germany and France face indicate that, despite uncertainty caused by the global pandemic and its associated economic repercussions, overseas markets remain key to growth. The study also revealed incremental emphasis towards investing in digital technology, unlocking trapped cash and increased focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in relation to trade and supply chains.

Since the first study six months ago, respondents have indicated increased business confidence in growth across borders, where 42% (up from 37%) of companies see the best growth opportunities outside of their home markets.

Asia remains a major growth region (with over 85% operating and implementing in Asia or considering it for business activities). Africa and the Middle East also saw marginal increase (up 4%) as potential growth markets over the next six to twelve months. Despite the ambition to expand internationally, understanding the regulatory requirements in overseas markets remains the greatest obstacle (35%) for companies who are looking to expand or strengthen their international operations. This is followed by the need to build relationships with suppliers and adapt supply chain logistics (21%).

As companies look ahead into a post pandemic environment, the respondents’ top three priorities have indicated slight shifts away from issues including supply chain failure (down 2% to 50%) and the need for liquidity (down 2% to 47%) to an increase in investing in digitisation to mobilise liquidity (up 4% to 66%) and ESG (up 5% to 23%).

Torry Berntsen, CEO of Europe and Americas, Standard Chartered, said: “It is apparent that businesses are beginning to pay greater attention to overseas growth and investing for the future. Sustainability, digitisation, and the need to understand regulation are not just key to how business will be conducted, they are also opportunities for companies to increase operational efficiency, grow internationally and stay ahead of the competition.”

Note to Editors

About the Borderless Business Study

Conducted between November and December 2020, over 1,000 CFOs and senior treasury professionals of companies with a turnover exceeding $500m located in USA, UK, Germany and France took part in the survey.

  • Each country was equally represented with 25% of respondents.
  • 50% of respondents represented companies with a turnover of $500m - $1bn; the remaining 50% represented companies with a turnover exceeding $1bn.
  • The technology sector comprised 16% of responses. Thereafter, other industry sectors representation varied between 6-8%. Financial services were excluded from the survey.

Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 59 of the world’s most dynamic markets, and serving clients in a further 85. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, Here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contacts

Simon Kutner
Regional Head of Communications, Europe (Interim)
Standard Chartered Bank
Tel: +44 (0)7880 296 947
Email: simon.kutner@sc.com

Chris Teo
Head of Corporate & Business Communications, Americas
Standard Chartered Bank
Tel: +1 212 667 0446
Email: Chris.Teo@sc.com

Standard Chartered


Release Summary
Overseas markets remain key to growth for European and US companies

Contacts

Simon Kutner
Regional Head of Communications, Europe (Interim)
Standard Chartered Bank
Tel: +44 (0)7880 296 947
Email: simon.kutner@sc.com

Chris Teo
Head of Corporate & Business Communications, Americas
Standard Chartered Bank
Tel: +1 212 667 0446
Email: Chris.Teo@sc.com

More News From Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered US Named One of America’s 50 Most Community-Minded Companies by Points of Light

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Standard Chartered US (the “Bank”) is proud to announce that it has been recognized for the third consecutive year as an honoree of The Civic 50, an initiative by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to increasing volunteer service. For more than a decade, The Civic 50 has served as the national standard for corporate citizenship and showcases how leading companies are moving social impact and community to the core of their business. This compre...

IFC and Standard Chartered Expand Lending in Local Currencies

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has partnered with Standard Chartered to bolster local currency financing for private enterprises in emerging markets. Standard Chartered will provide local currency loans to IFC in selected markets, which IFC will subsequently on-lend to private-sector projects. The inaugural transaction under this collaboration is a loan of 9 billion Kenyan shillings (equivalent to approximately 70 million US dollars) to IFC, which will support...

Standard Chartered Celebrates Winner of the 2025 Women in Tech Incubator Competition

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Standard Chartered Americas (the “Bank”) and the Zahn Innovation Center (“Zahn Center”) at City College of New York (“CCNY”) are proud to announce the winner of the 2025 Women in Tech (“WiT”) Incubator Competition - an initiative designed to support and empower women entrepreneurs in the technology sector. This year’s top honor goes to CareerDay, recognized for their innovative platform that empowers college students to discover and pursue fulfilling career paths thro...
Back to Newsroom