SMEs’ confidence drops in the second half of 2026

“Rising fuel costs and global uncertainty are undoubtedly constraining growth ambitions, but local SMEs remain focused on building the resilience needed to sustain their businesses and position themselves for future opportunities.”When asked whether they had taken steps during the first quarter of 2026 to prepare for increased operating costs linked to rising fuel prices, 22.“For many SMEs, rising fuel prices affect every part of the value chain, from procurement and logistics to customer deliveries and day-to-day operations.”