27 November 2002 20:55
In Brief - National Economy & Business
Coega management, possible foreign operators hold talks EAST London Industrial Development Zone management is in
talks with several large international companies that are looking at establishing operations in the zone. Among them are
a computer recycling firm and a cellphone recycling company from the UK, as well as a baby clothing firm, said Peter
Miles of the zone development company yesterday. Meanwhile, Miles expected a decision by the national trade and industry
department in the next two weeks on the zone's application for finance through the government's critical
infrastructure programme. The funds would help speed up infrastructure development at the site. Carli Lourens SA, Poland
forging firmer trade links TRADE between SA and Poland has grown to about $100m annually, with the central European
state importing minerals, iron ore and wine, Polish commercial counsellor Jeremi Bartosiewicz said this week. He is
leading the fifth trade mission to SA, Mozambique, Namibia and Swaziland since the areas opened trade relations. Growing
SA, Polish trade has been boosted by large-scale investments by leading brewer SABMiller and paper group Mondi, as well
as smaller investments by entertainment group Ster Kinekor and furniture company Steinhoff. Nicola Jenvey Retail petrol
price set to fall 18c/l THE retail petrol price in SA should drop by 18c/l , the latest data from the minerals and
energy department shows. An official announcement is expected on Monday. The 18c/l fall is based on an adjustment of the
retail petrol price which is done on the first Wednesday of every month. If there is an 18c/l decrease, then the retail
petrol price would be 398c/l in coastal provinces, while in inland provinces the December retail petrol price would be
408 c/l. This is less than October's petrol price of 426 c/l and 409 c/l in September. I-net Bridge Growth in SA
unemployment figures THE number of people who classify themselves as unemployed and who are by implication looking for
work has increased significantly, from 32,6% last year to 34,2% this year or 10,1-million people, according to SA
Advertising Research Foundation surveys. If one adds to this 10,1-million unemployed figure those not actively seeking
employment, such as students, 65,3% of SA adults, or 19,3-million adults, are not working, This is up significantly from
63,3% last year. The number of people with full-time work is now pegged at 24,7% or 7,3-million. Madeleine van Niekerk
Bridge will boost urban renewal plan TOYOTA SA chairman Bert Wessels and Durban mayor Obed Mlaba yesterday inaugurated
construction of the R11,5m bridge and purpose-built road for the motor vehicle company that will carry locally built
vehicles destined for export. This is part of the R2bn the council has earmarked for urban renewal in the next three
years. The money will be raised by business levies and used in regenerating the regions affected. The South Durban Urban
Renewal programme covers production districts south of the city currently responsible for 10% of SA's manufacturing
jobs.
Nicola Jenvey Jo'burg, Moscow air link a possibility THE reopening of a direct air link between Moscow and
Johannesburg may be one concrete result of last week's intergovernment ministerial meeting in Pretoria.
Re-establishment of the air connection between Russia and SA and the completion of a maritime agreement was also on the
agenda. Aeroflot, which suspended its flights to SA five years ago, said resumption of the air link depended on
passenger demand, which had been growing among Russian tourists. Cargo demand from SA shippers to use Aeroflot for
low-cost transfer through Moscow to Asia was also being evaluated, the company said. No final agreements were reached,
but talks would continue, said a Russian official. John Helmer BLACK households earned and consumed less in 2000 than in
1995, according to recent figures from Statistics SA. In 1995, the annual income of black households was R23000. This
ought to have risen to R32000 in 2000, given inflation. But the average income in black households was only R26000, the
2000 survey of income and spending levels found. By contrast, average income of white households increased, from R103000
in 1995 to R158000 in 2000 — higher than the inflation-adjusted figure of R137000 for 2000. Nasreen Seria
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
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