Holidays test economic productivity

Telecommunications costs ‘sky high’ RAY SMUTS WAYS AND means have to be sought to keep economic production on the go amidst a spate of public holidays, says Albert Schuitmaker, CEO of the Cape Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This past week was a case in point; public holidays on April 27 and May 1, the latter a Sunday and therefore carried over to May 2, during which many took advantage by applying for leave covering the period of five days. There is no doubt in Schuitmaker’s mind that the large number of public holidays in April and May are impacting negatively on the Western Cape’s economy - although it suits tourists The Chamber says also the recent study conducted by Genesis Analytics and commissioned by the South African Foundation, has further increased concerns over high telephone costs in this country. The study has determined communication services are 400% more expensive in South Africa than similar services in the US, Brazil, Israel and Sweden, while the cost of a local call (in SA) is 198% more than other countries.