"BRIC manufacturing sector confidence appears to have swiftly returned to strength following the slump in confidence that ensued from last year's global financial crisis," observes Ian Gomes, chairman of KPMG's High Growth Markets Practice. "Robust growth is widely forecast based on expectations of improving domestic demand, the success of government stimulus measures and signs of stabilisation in the world economy."

The improved picture should come as good news to investors who own or are looking to buy industrial property in the BRIC nations. According to the report, the current reading nearly matches the +47% posted last summer, suggesting that output levels will rise at a marked pace over the next 12 months. KPMG says confidence is highest in Brazil, though firms in Russia and China also predict robust rates of expansion. Firms in India are much less upbeat than those in the other three countries, but confidence has still shown a clear improvement from January.

The report says BRIC manufacturers are particularly encouraged by sales growth prospects for coming year. A net of +44.8 firms predict higher levels of new orders in coming months compared to only +4.9 making similar predictions in January. KPMG researchers say this means business revenues are set to increase sharply. They add that expectations for company profits are the highest since the survey began in January '08.