Alan Peat
WHILE THE full-year trade figures have not yet been released, SA's trade with Zimbabwe during 1999 certainly started the year on a more promising note.
According to Liz Whitehouse of Whitehouse & Associates, the first seven months of the year showed a slight improvement on 1998 performance.
During the period January to July 1999, SA exports to Zimbabwe increased by 6% to R2,9-billion, she told FTW. This is still 5% down on the January to July 1997 figures, but does reflect a modest recovery in trade - given the severe economic climate in Zimbabwe.
The product profile of exports has remained fairly consistent. The bulk of exports are in the categories of chemicals; mineral products; base metals and articles; and vehicles and transport equipment.
Vegetable exports have shown strong growth during the period, overtaking exports of mineral products.
Decreases, said Whitehouse, have been reflected in exports of industrial inputs - most notably original equipment manufacturers' (OEM) exports, vehicles and transport equipment and machinery.
This as Zimbabwean companies struggle with a dwindling local market, a depreciating dollar and ever-decreasing foreign currency reserves.
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