Pacific Island businesses pay slowly, businesses in Africa not at all

If you’re doing business with customers in the Pacific Islands or Africa, it’s probably a good idea to do a bit of a credit check beforehand; according to a new survey they are the world’s worst payers.

If you’re doing business with customers in the Pacific Islands or Africa, it’s probably a good idea to do a bit of a credit check beforehand; according to a new survey they are the world’s worst payers.

Just on 35% of 150 Australian and Kiwi businesses surveyed by credit insurer Atradius said Pacific Island business customers frequently pay late, ahead of those from Africa (33%), Britain (29%) and Asia (26%).

But at least they pay – 13% of those surveyed said they have not been paid at all by an African business client in the past six months, ahead of the 6% who have been stiffed by a Pacific Island customer.

The businesses surveyed said they had their worst overall payment experience in their dealings with Africa and their best with other Australian and New Zealand businesses, followed by customers from the US and then Asia.

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