HSBC Bank has conducted a survey which made it clear that the optimism of Russian companies about the prospects for international trade was lower than the average global indicator. Positive forecasts were given by 69 percent of companies operating in Russia. The world average indicator made up 78 percent.

      It is noted that Russian companies are expressing pessimism against the background of talks about strengthening sanctions. At the same time, it turned out that the respondents were more optimistic in the context of their business, rather than in their estimates of the global economic situation. Thus, positive global forecasts were provided by 80 percent of companies.

      HSBC experts note that Russian business has suffered from the extension of sanctions, but the problems have been alleviated by the rise in oil prices. A total of 8650 companies in 34 countries have participated in the survey.

      Read more about sanctions against Russia.