New Delhi: With robust domestic economic growth and growing acceptance of 'India story' on the global arena, Indian business owners have emerged as the most confident lot worldwide about the prospects of their economy for fourth year in running, a new study shows.

Besides higher level of confidence in the overall economy, Indian business owners are most optimistic globally about growth of their business turnover as well, according to an International Business Report (IBR) survey published today by Grant Thornton International.

Asian business owners continue to be the most confident in the world with India, Philippines, China and Singapore, taking the top four positions in the IBR survey.

"It is remarkable to note the jump in confidence over the Indian economy among Indian business owners," Grant Thornton India Partner & Director- International Business Vishesh Chandiok said.

"For the fourth consecutive year, Indian business owners are the most optimistic among over 7,000 others in 32 countries globally," he said.

This business confidence of Indian business owners that is marking the steady stream of global acquisitions by large and medium Indian corporates.

The initial findings from the International Business Report (IBR) from Grant Thornton International published showed that medium to large privately-held businesses around the world are considerably more optimistic about the prospects of their economies in 2007.