Competition and Complexity: Business Trends in the Year of the Fire Horse
2026 marks a defining year for Australian businesses as they navigate a more competitive, complex and fast-moving Asia. The Year of the Fire Horse symbolises speed, strength and independence, qualities that will be essential as firms confront intensifying rivalry, geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change across the region.
16 February 2026
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Competition and Complexity: Business Trends in the Year of the Fire Horse
Based on a survey of 370 Australian Businesses, Competition and Complexity: Business Trends in the Year of the Fire Horse explores how organisations are assessing opportunities and challenges across the region.
The report combines survey insights with expert commentary and in-house analysis to find that:
- Artificial intelligence is the top growth opportunity for Australian businesses in Asia
- Rising consumer demand and digital economy growth are also key drivers of growth
- Underappreciated opportunities exist across the green energy transition, ESG and sustainability sectors
- China emerged as the top market for Australian businesses in Asia, up from fourth place in 2025, followed by Japan and India
- Top challenges businesses expect to face include competition from local and global peers, geopolitical risk, trade fragmentation and regulatory complexity
- The findings also reveal critical divergence. Businesses with on-the-ground experience in Asia have a more nuanced understanding of competition, regulation and execution risk. By contrast, Australia-only firms tend to overestimate growth constraints while underestimating the practical challenges of operating in Asian markets.
