The global economic climate is at its brightest since 2007, but there may be trouble ahead, according to the latest quarterly World Economic Survey by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Munich-based Ifo Institute for Economic Research, published on Wednesday. Topping last quarters four-year high, the ICC/Ifo world climate indicator reached 107.7 points in April, far above its 1995-2010 average of 96.9. The figure, based on a survey of over 1,000 economists in 120 countries, combines respondents increasingly positive appraisals of their countries economic situation with their outlook for the next six months, which has dipped slightly while remaining confident. Despite its overall optimism, the report highlights marked regional variations, and factors that could upset further global economic recovery in the next six months. Public budget deficits were top on the experts list of urgent problems, ahead of high inflation and unemployment. ICC Secretary General Jean-Guy Carrier said: “The ICC/Ifo findings are an encouraging sign that the global economy is still recovering. But they also show growing anxiety about public deficits that have built up since the financial crisis. And if governments struggling to reduce their debts resort to increasing protectionism – theres a real danger that further global economic recovery could stall. Governments must work together and encourage a multilateral trading system that can allow the global economy to continue regaining strength”. With short and long-term interest rates expected to rise, the report said stronger tightening of monetary policy is likely in most of the countries surveyed. Emerging economies such as China, Turkey and some Latin American countries are particularly concerned by high inflation as prices soar. Survey respondents from Brazil were especially worried that their strong currency could lead to a loss of competitiveness or a process of deindustrialization. On average, worldwide consumer prices are expected to rise by 3.8pc over the year, up from 3.4pc forecast in early 2011. “The upswing of the world economy continues, but one should nevertheless be aware of the risks,” said Gernot Nerb, Ifo Director of Business Surveys. “Downward risks for positive development have gained weight during the last months. If downside risks do not materialize, this could be a sustainable track for the world economy.” Among the risks that could hit the world economy in the next six months, pushing it off the road to recovery, the ICC/Ifo report cited excessive international capital movements and potential oil price shocks driven by tensions in supply. World economic growth is expected to reach 3.2pc in 2011, up slightly on last years level. Experts cite the main growth engines as China, India and certain Latin American countries such as Peru and Argentina. In North America, waning optimism for the next six months dampened the overall economic climate slightly. But indications are still above their long-term average, and experts predict a strong rebound in employment in the US, as the pronounced imbalance between recent productivity growth and reluctant hiring is redressed. In Asia, although the economic climate remains brighter than average, the survey shows deterioration in both economic situation and six-month expectations. The picture is particularly favorable in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Singapore and South Korea, whereas Japans economists are pessimistic following its tsunami, earthquake and nuclear disaster. In China, experts are cautious about future economic development. They expect capital expenditures and growth in private consumption and exports to weaken over the next six months. Most expect trade surplus to decrease, and almost one in 10 predict a trade deficit. But they say Chinas key economic problem is inflation, as in most Asian countries.