India records highest trust level

New Delhi: Trust in business has stabilised and is recovering significantly in some of the world's largest markets. Nearly one-half of informed public (48 per cent ) in the US trusts business to do what is right, up from a low of 36 per cent  in January.

France saw an 11-point jump, from 30 per cent  to 41 per cent , according to a six-country midyear Edelman Trust Barometer, which is an abridged version of the firm's annual trust and credibility survey. The survey, conducted from 26 May to 3 July 2009, sampled 1,675 peiople in two age groups (25-34 and 35-64) in six countries - the US, the UK, France, Germany, India, and China. All respondents met the following criteria: college-educated; household income in the top quartile for their age in their country; read or watch business / news media at least several times a week and follow public policy issues in the news at least several times a week.

In January 2009, the trust ranking had indicated a devastating loss in trust in the private sector. Trust in government is also on the ascent, with a 12-point increase in the US (from 30 per cent  to 42 per cent) and a 13-point jump in India (42 per cent  to 55 per cent).

''Trust in business is on the way back, but we're still in the middle of the game,'' said Richard Edelman, president and CEO, Edelman.

India and China are the most positive about business. At 75 per cent, India recorded the highest level of trust in business of any of the six countries surveyed. China followed with 60 per cent saying they trust business to do what is right. In China and India, banks are the second-most trusted industry.

In China and India, 96 per cent and 81 per cent, respectively, say their country is headed in the right direction, compared with 47 per cent of Americans and Germans, 37 per cent of British, and 31 per cent of French. In another marked contrast to the West, nearly seven out of 10 in India and China rate the reputation of large multinational corporations as good or excellent, compared with 30 per cent of Americans, 29 per cent of Germans, 24 per cent of French, and 13 per cent of British.