SA records positive trade balance

SOUTH AFRICA’S balance of trade with the US in 2006 was a positive US$2.865bn (R20.7bn) in the 11 months Jan-Nov, with exports of US$6.9bn (R50bn) and imports of US$4.03bn (R29bn), according to figures released last week by the US Commercial Services in Johannesburg. This compares with a balance of US$1.725bn (R12.5bn) in 2005 and US$2.445bn (R17.7bn) in 2004 for the same time period. Precious stones and metals, mainly gold, made up 50% of all South African exports and were valued at US$3.446bn (R25bn) for Jan-Nov 2006. The US identifies South Africa as its 39th largest import country with 0.35% of the share. Its top import countries are listed as Canada (17.28%) and China (14.68%).