The ICC WCF Global Economic Survey tracks economic conditions, business sentiment and the forces reshaping the global business landscape

Trade uncertainty and geopolitical tensions have become the new realities of doing business today

The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pleased to share the results of the ICC WCF Global Economic Survey, in which it took part. Conducted in May - June 2026, this year’s survey saw record participation of 352 Chambers from 113 countries.

 In addition to English, the results have been translated into Arabic, French, Spanish, and Turkish.

 Key takeaways from the survey:

⇒ Geopolitics tops the business agenda: 70% of chambers cite geopolitical tensions as a major concern, up 14 percentage points from 2025, while trade uncertainty continues to weigh on businesses.

⇒ Business confidence is bouncing back: Despite mounting pressures, chambers in six out of 10 countries expect business activity to increase, compared with five out of 10 in 2025.

⇒ Diversification over relocation: Faced with trade disruptions, businesses are prioritising new export markets (73%) and alternative suppliers (64%) to strengthen supply chain resilience.

⇒ AI adoption is accelerating: The share of chambers reporting widespread AI use across industries has nearly tripled since 2024, while 90% expect AI to boost productivity. China is increasingly perceived as leading the global AI race.

⇒ The AI jobs debate is heating up: AI's jobs impact remains divided, with chambers in emerging economies far more optimistic than those in advanced markets. White-collar occupations are seen as the most exposed to AI-driven disruption.

The full text of the analysis can be seen here: Chamber Pulse: Navigating uncertainty, embracing AI