Business Leaders in Asia-Pacific Build Resilience Through AI and Regional Trade

Why It Matters

The shift signals a strategic re‑orientation toward AI‑enabled, people‑centric operations that could reshape regional supply chains and set a new benchmark for resilience in volatile markets.

Key Takeaways

• Revenue growth expectations fell to 67% in 2026.
• Business confidence rose to 41% despite lower growth outlook.
• 63% plan to increase hiring; 68% boost upskilling.
• AI created new roles for 43% of firms, replacing 28%.
• 91% confident in regulations; only 73% ready for climate impacts.

Pulse Analysis

The latest Forvis Mazars C‑Suite Barometer highlights a growing confidence gap in Asia‑Pacific: leaders are less optimistic about top‑line growth yet more determined to fortify their organizations. This "resilience paradox" reflects a broader strategic pivot from short‑term crisis management to long‑term structural reinvention. By anchoring initiatives around AI‑driven forecasting, knowledge acquisition, and operational efficiency, firms aim to insulate themselves from external shocks while extracting measurable productivity gains.

Talent strategy is emerging as the linchpin of this transformation. Despite economic headwinds, 63% of respondents intend to expand headcount, and 68% are earmarking resources for upskilling—signalling a belief that a skilled workforce is essential for extracting value from advanced technologies. AI is not merely a cost‑cutting tool; it is creating new positions for 43% of companies, indicating a symbiotic relationship between automation and human expertise. This dual focus on hiring and reskilling positions the region to capture the next wave of digital innovation.

Geopolitical uncertainty is also reshaping market geography. Companies are shortening supply chains and concentrating expansion in China, Australia, and Hong Kong, where regulatory environments are more predictable. While 91% of executives feel confident navigating regional compliance, only 73% believe they can withstand the physical realities of climate change, exposing a critical sustainability gap. Investors and policymakers should watch how firms bridge this divide, as effective climate resilience will become a decisive factor in long‑term competitiveness.