Archive for April 1st, 2008

Daily Archive
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008

SA trade deficit at worrying levels

By Kevin Lings
In February 2008, South Africa’s trade account recorded another deficit of R5.8bn. The market was expecting a deficit of around R4bn, although the trade balance is notoriously difficult to forecast. During February 2008 exports rose by a very substantial 19.3% m/m, but imports also rose by a significant 6.4% m/m. The increase in […]

No Comments » - Posted in South Africa by Prieur du Plessis
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008

No rope in sight

Source: Slate, March 28, 2008.
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No Comments » - Posted in Humor by Prieur du Plessis
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008

The hopes and challenges of a rainbow nation

By Robert Ruttmann
Fourteen years after the system of apartheid gave way to a freely elected black-majority government, South Africa is enjoying its longest period of economic growth ever: 96 months and counting.
The economy has grown by approximately 5 percent per year in the past four years, adding half a million jobs last year. Successful fiscal […]

No Comments » - Posted in South Africa by Prieur du Plessis
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008

Fixed investment faces uncertain crossroads

By Cees Bruggemans
The SARB’s quarterly bulletin for 4Q2007 still showed a remarkable robust fixed investment growth picture, led by construction activity, dominated by the tremendous infrastructure effort underway in many areas (Gautrain, power stations, port expansion, with road building next).
This general impression of construction robustness was carried through into the 1Q2008, as borne out by […]

No Comments » - Posted in South Africa by Prieur du Plessis