The South African branch of the WWF has raised questions about the integrity of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa) public hearings into Eskom’s proposed electricity price hikes. Richard Worthington, Manager of WWF’s Climate Change programme, said the nation-wide Nersa hearings, currently in their second week, were designed to allow the public to […]
Category: business
STATE FIRM ON 'GREEN TAX' LAUNCH
National Treasury said there is no question about a deferral for the introduction of a “green tax” on new imported vehicles. The tax comes into operation on 1 March. According to the structure which will become effective in March, the ad valorem duty on a vehicle with a R300 000 retail price drops from 6.5% […]
SA JOINS AGENCY FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
SA on Sunday joined an international agency which promotes renewable energy, even though so far domestic progress in renewable energy has lagged. Energy Affairs Minister Dipuo Peters signed the register of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) statutes in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. “This is a pioneer development that will enable us to work with […]
SA TAKES UP FARMERS’ ISSUES
SA said on Sunday that it had made formal contact with the Zimbabwean government on issues raised by its citizens in Zimbabwe. A number of South African farmers have been forced out of their farms by invaders, with the latest incident on 24 December. This is despite a 2008 ruling by a tribunal established under […]
‘BENIGN TREND’ THREATENED BY RISE IN IMPORTS
SA’s deficit on the current account, its broadest measure of trade in goods and services, shrank in line with expectations during the third quarter of this year, official data showed on Thursday. The shortfall narrowed to 3,2% of gross domestic product (GDP) — its lowest ratio since the second quarter of 2005 — from a […]
CORRECTION, NOT CHAOS
The recession had impacted on the Mineworkers Investment Company’s portfolio, it said yesterday. Releasing its 2008-9 annual review in Joburg, MIC chairman Kuben Pillay said there had been a cyclical correction, rather than a catastrophe. “The abiding impression created by our portfolio is that of solid quality. The market has changed, but underlying quality remains.” […]
TRANSNET TO INVEST MORE IN RAIL
Logistics group Transnet plans to raise annual rail capacity for manganese ore exports to 7 million tons within five years from around 4 million tons this year, it said yesterday. Transnet CEO Chris Wells said more capacity would be allocated to manganese exports from Hotazel in the Northern Cape to Port Elizabeth on the general […]
SA, HUNGARY SIGN ECONOMIC AGREEMENT
South Africa and Hungary have undertaken to work together towards developing and strengthening economic and industrial co-operation, the Department of trade and industry said on Friday. “They will also encourage and facilitate contact and co-operation between business persons in their two countries in pursuance of commercial opportunities,” the Department said in a statement following the […]
ZIMBABWE, S.AFRICA SIGN INVESTMENT PROTECTION DEAL
Zimbabwe and South Africa signed a bilateral investment agreement on Friday which would protect investments made by nationals of both countries in each other’s territory. The Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA), was signed in the capital by trade ministers from both countries. “We want this BIPPA between our two countries to work. BIPPA […]
"IMF welcomes China helping Africa” – Ewenczyk
Before the start today of the Forum on Africa in Taormina (Sicily, Italy), we interviewed Pierre Ewenczyk of the IMF. Later this afternoon Ewenczyk is scheduled to talk about the ‘global economic outlook’ beside Caleb Fundanga of the Bank of Zambia and Dominick Salvatore of Fordham University and advisor of South Africans reserve bank.