The report noted that almost three quarters (72 per cent) of companies surveyed intend to grow their Asian operations in the next five years. More than 80 per cent of companies from the United Kingdom, France and Germany -- where the survey was conducted last month -- see the region as a major profit centre. In fact, they expect their Asian divisions to grow 27 per cent on average in the next three to five years.

This expectation has empirical basis. The report noted that 25 per cent of companies with operations in the three countries earn 20 per cent or more of their revenues from Asia, with 20 per cent or more of their cost base in Asia.

"On average, 16 per cent of their revenue originates from Asia or Asian-based organisations, with German companies earning the highest proportion (19 per cent), compared to just 13 per cent in France and 15 per cent in the UK," the report stated. These figures indicate the importance of the Asian region in driving growth in the world economy, DC Advisory Partners said.

Tosh Kojima, managing director and head of the Japan Asia Focus Group, DC Advisory Partners, noted that the European companies are looking at different options in investing in Asia, including mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures.