June 2021

30 June 2021 – Plans are under way to transform and revive the poultry and automotive sectors. According to a report from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), there has been progress. “Since the implementation of the Poultry Master Plan, a new tariff was put on imported poultry which provides greater protection for […]

29 June 2021 – South Africa’s maritime ports, known to be highly inefficient, need to be repurposed and redesignated to increase their efficient use, says law firm Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa chairperson Andrew Robinson. Speaking during an Infrastructure Africa panel discussion on transformation in the transport sector, on June 23, he reiterated that the World

28 June 2021 – South Africa’s global competitiveness has slipped to 62 out of 64 countries rated according to the 2021 World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY). The slide is attributed to deteriorating headline and youth unemployment, rising public debt levels amid a shrinking fiscal space, lack of decisive plans to revive the struggling economy, ongoing electricity

25 June 2021 – The Q2 Absa Manufacturing Survey has seen a significant improvement in overall sector confidence, with business confidence rising by 21 points to 46 points during the quarter, the highest level since 2012. “The increase was largely driven by strong selling price hikes and output increases,” said Justin Schmidt, head of manufacturing

24 June 2021 – The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry has undergone substantial transformation, driven by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Characterised by high volumes and low profit margins, the sector has seen demand for some products increase significantly, while others have become stagnant – and even obsolete – as consumer buying patterns have changed.  According

23 June 2021 – Reviving South Africa’s economy is the main challenge but support for the President and his reformist agenda has increased. Political situation While reviving the economy is the main challenge, political support for reforms has increased The main challenge ahead for the government is to revive the economy after the massive adverse

22 June 2021 – South Africa is experiencing a record trade surplus in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic with our exports far outpacing imports. This is according to Justin Milo, Standard Bank’s executive head of trade and supply chain finance sales, who said exports could hold the key to South Africa’s economic recovery and

21 June 2021 – South Africa’s economy is on track to grow 4.1% in 2021, above recent median forecasts for Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole but not enough to make up for last year’s huge coronavirus-related contraction, a Reuters poll found on Friday. The rebound comes after a 7.0% contraction last year and the latest

18 June 2021 – South Africa’s citrus industry is currently under economic pressure due to the global shortage of shipping containers, primarily as a result of COVID-19-related trade restrictions. According to independent maritime research consultancy Drewry’s Composite World Container Index, freighting rates increased 4,1% or US$263 (about R3 623) to US$6 726,87 (R92 660) per 40ft container. This

17 June 2021 – The cost of South Africa’s road maintenance backlog is now close to R417 billion, having more than doubled in the past seven years. According to economic consultant Dr Matthew Townshend, the country’s extensive road network of 750 000 km used to be South Africa’s single largest public asset, valued at between