A poll by the
According to the IoD, the business leaders were relatively confident despite the country's weak economic outlook, Xinhua reported. If a recession were to occur, around 43 percent of the directors polled believed it would be short and mild, and 33 percent said it would be long but mild.
Only 10 per cent believed
About 40 per cent of the companies expected their profits to increase in 2012, and 32 per cent expect their profits to drop.
However, the companies were cautious about increasing business investment and employment.
Around 27 per cent of companies thought employment would be higher this year while 25 per cent thought it would be lower.