Machinery exports
declined by 11%
Allan Peat
THE LATEST figures on SA-Zimbabwe trade confirm a drop in business during this last year of socio-political problems in the northern neighbour state, according to Liz Whitehouse of Whitehouse & Associates.
Following a peak in SA exports to Zimbabwe in 1996, it has been a continuing downward slide for the last three years.
During 1999, they have continued to decline - falling a further 1% to R5,1-billion.
Said Whitehouse: In terms of products, 75% of our exports to Zimbabwe fall into 15 chapters of the harmonised tariff system.
During 1999, decreases were recorded in a number of these categories. The most notable was an 11% decline in exports of machinery and mechanical appliances - the category accounting for the largest percentage of exports.
However, over the same period, imports from Zimbabwe showed a slight improvement - increasing to R1,2-bn. Said Whitehouse: This was largely on the back of a large increase in tobacco and mineral imports.
The overall effect of the downward trend is best expressed in SA's total African trade figures. Trade with Zimbabwe has decreased from 27% of total exports to Africa to 23%. And, said Whitehouse, until conditions improve, this trend is likely to continue.
With this downturn, what impact has been felt on SA general trade with Africa?
Despite the decline in trade with Zimbabwe, SA's principal trading partner in Africa, said Whitehouse, our trade with Africa reflected positive growth in 1999.
Exports increased by 12%, imports by 30% - and total trade by an impressive 15%.
This increase is largely the result of a massive 53% increase in SA exports to Mozambique. Trade with other key partners also showed positive growth.
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