Group
While almost half of companies in the United Arab Emirates tell us that B2B customer payment behaviour has been stable during the past 12 months, this hides a more complex landscape. Swifter payment times are noted in the steel/metals industry, while longer wait times are evident in the electronics/ICT sector. Late payments currently affect an average 51% of all B2B credit sales, and bad debts stand at an average 4% of all B2B invoices. This can strain operational funds and increase fixed costs, and highlights the fact that while payment behaviour may appear stable, underlying financial challenges persist and need to be addressed by businesses.
Our survey finds a generally optimistic mood among businesses in the United Arab Emirates about the outlook for both B2B customer payment behaviour and Days Sales Outstanding (DSO). The majority, particularly in the electronics/ICT sector, expect payment practices to improve in the year ahead, although 25% of companies, notably in the steel/metals industry, anticipate a deterioration. A similar positivity surrounds DSO, with 40% of businesses expecting an improvement in debt collection efficiency during the months ahead. This is especially so in the FMCG sector, and will help to sustain adequate liquidity levels. Another 40% anticipate stability in DSO, and the rest foresee some deterioration.
