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The time will soon come when the UK electorate will vote in a referendum on whether or not to the UK should remain a Member State of the European Union. In many respects British politicians are failing to give the electorate the information they need to make an informed decision.

New research from Grant Thornton’s International Business Report (IBR) reveals that going into 2016, EU businesses remain surprisingly resilient in their outlook despite risks posed by the migrant crisis, terrorism etc. Yet 2016 also brings fresh questions as US firms report a dent to their confidence amid concerns over export markets and the strength of the Dollar.

India’s young, growing workforce and China’s ageing population put Asia’s two great economies at either end of the age dividend. Partners at Grant Thornton discuss the consequences for each of their countries.

I recently finished an Asian tour to connect with our firms in the region and to meet some of their clients. The trip has been an eye-opening experience and a great opportunity to focus on this high-growth region.

Kenya’s economy is becoming more dynamic. For businesses seeking to expand, it could be the perfect stepping stone into the region.

But as more commerce moves online, retailers need to be aware of cyber-attacks – only 46% are prepared, despite the $86bn cost in attacks annually.

Drawing on interviews from our IBR and other sources this report explores the opportunities and challenges for business growth in Asia-Pacific. The slowdown in China, regional tensions and ageing populations emerge as key threats to regional growth prospects, while businesses are excited by the Trans-Pacific Partnership and increased ASEAN cooperation.

New research from Grant Thornton’s International Business Report (IBR) reveals the extent to which contagion caused by China’s economic slowdown is spreading to businesses around the world. Business confidence and expectations for revenue and exports are down, not just in China’s near neighbours, but in several major economies which count on the world’s second biggest economy as a major trading partner.

To succeed in the B2B sharing economy, businesses need to understand what drives customers who are willing to use crowdsourced and automated services LiquidSpace specialises in renting out spare office space in existing businesses by the hour, the month or longer. Users can hire space via the company’s app and be sitting in a business’s boardroom within minutes. They can add their own office space to the inventory too.

Companies with diverse executive boards outperform peers run by all-male boards according to new research from Grant Thornton. The study, which covers listed companies in India, UK and US, estimates the opportunity cost for companies with male-only executive boards (in terms of lower returns on assets) at a staggering US$655 billion in 2014

Before Greece’s 'No' vote on Sunday, business optimism in Europe had surged ahead to its highest level in five years, despite the ongoing uncertainty over the future of Greece and its continued membership of the single currency.

Ed Nusbaum advises businesses not to forget the pain of the financial crisis: History will look back on the financial crisis that began in 2008 as a major shock to the global economy. IMF managing director, Christine Lagarde, has talked about the "scars" it left behind. Just as when a sportsman or woman suffers a severe injury, it takes time for economies to rediscover their best form.

Drawing on data and insight from the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR), the Grant Thornton Global Dynamism Index (GDI), the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), this short report considers the outlook for Latin America in 2015

The European recovery is gaining momentum according to Grant Thornton's International Business Report (IBR). However, drawing on interviews with more than 1,100 regional executives, the report uncovers a number of threats, from Greek debt negotiations to high unemployment, which continue to undermine European stability and long-term business growth prospects.

Businesses across Europe have greater concern about the prospect of the UK leaving the EU than Greece leaving the eurozone, according to new research from Grant Thornton. This comes just as the UK is about to go the polls in an election where a potential EU referendum is a major policy battleground, and just ahead of Greece’s deadline to repay almost €1billion to the International Monetary Fund in May.

Dominic King, Editor - global research, draws on a session at the 2015 IMF/World Bank Spring Conference to ask why regional trade deals are trumping a multilateral agreement and how the digital economy is reshaping globalisation.