IDC believes that the evolving economic climate in Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan), or APEJ, toward a growth trajectory presents a good opportunity for business consulting firms. Positive gross domestic product (GDP) figures, increased trade levels with signing of free trade agreements (FTAs), and sustained economic stimulus packages have helped businesses in APEJ ride the financial tsunami. Going forward as the shift in economic power favors markets in Asia, IDC expects increased traction for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), adoption of best practices and compliance norms, regulations pertaining to financial reporting standards, and need for improved business performance will drive the demand for business consulting services.
According to Mayur Sahni, senior analyst, IDC Asia/Pacific, "Opportunities exist across all business consulting functions. While the most significant opportunity will be for financial and accounting (F&A) services; governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) and operations consulting will be the dominant service areas." Increasingly IDC has observed that there is increased interest for organization consulting engagements as businesses in Asia become increasingly global in nature.