The Scope

The weather may be icy, but the climate for business in St. John’s is near-equatorial.

The St. John’s Board of Trade, which represents hundreds of businesses, recently released the results of its 2010 economic survey.

Eighty-three per cent of respondents said local economic conditions were ‘good’ or ‘excellent.’ More than 70 per cent said 2010 would be a better year than 2009 in overall performance, with about one-in-three saying it would be a better year in both profits and growth. Over half anticipated employment growth within their own business within 12 months.

Respondents named labour and skills shortages, transportation, economic diversification, and taxation or government spending as potential factors that may affect economic growth.