SONA in a nutshell

Union and business representatives have welcomed President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation address to Parliament and, while the speech was held by some observers to be uninspiring it contained a lot of detail about the government's plans to boost jobs and invest in infrastructure. 10 Feb 2012 10:06

Mining industry must transform - Shabangu

[Francis Hweshe] Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu has called for sustainable growth and development in the mining sector to "ensure the speedy realisation of government's transformation objectives". 6 Feb 2012 06:29

Vehicle sales improve in January

Vehicle sales in January, although subdued, have improved, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) said. 3 Feb 2012 10:29

Manufacturing to boost GDP on resurgent PMI

Although most economists are downgrading their 2012 SA gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts, a resurgent seasonally adjusted Kagiso Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in January could mean a revising of forecasts upwards in coming months as production finally catches up with strong consumer demand. 2 Feb 2012 10:12

Gordhan's budget should boost business confidence

South Africa's upcoming Budget Speech needs to boost business confidence while at the same time, 2012 needs to be a year of implementation, says Business Unity South Africa (BUSA). 2 Feb 2012 08:38

Africa targets free trade area by 2017

Africa will target the establishment of a continental free trade area by 2017, said a document issued at the closing of the 18th summit of the African Union (AU) on Tuesday, 31 January. 1 Feb 2012 15:19

Red meat industry to review export ban

The agriculture department and SA's red meat industry have discussed a plan to end the ban on exports that has been in force since early last year because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. 27 Jan 2012 13:26

Iran sanctions could hurt SA's oil imports

South Africa receives about 25% of its oil from Iran and authorities are assessing the implications of the latest sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States, Fin24 reports. 26 Jan 2012 15:33

Ras Al Khaimah sends high-level delegation for investment talks

A high-level delegation from Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) emirate is arriving in South Africa in early February to discuss investments from South African companies in this and other United Arab Emirates (UAE). The events will be held in Johannesburg at the Montecasino Palazzo and Cape Town at the One & Only on 7 and 8 February 2012, respectively. 26 Jan 2012 12:41

SA, Qatar strengthen relations

Infrastructure development between South Africa and Qatar is set to intensify in the future. This emerged after a meeting between President Jacob Zuma and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani in Doha during a visit by Zuma, who stopped over in Qatar earlier this week while en route to the World Economic Forum, set to take place in Davos. 26 Jan 2012 08:16

SA/Swazi rail project set to take off

[Thomas Ginindza] South Africans and their Swazi counterparts are expected to enjoy various economic spin-offs from the development of a 146km rail line between the two countries. 18 Jan 2012 08:11

SEZs to drive regional industrialisation, boost jobs

A new Bill gazetted today aims to boost job creation and industrialisation in outlying areas through the licensing of special economic zones (SEZs). 17 Jan 2012 11:04

Production levels rise at SA factories

Production levels at South African factories rose by 2.6% in November, compared with the same month in the previous year according to figures released by Statistics South Africa. 13 Jan 2012 16:54