SA wins title of second fastest growing exporter nation

Ed Richardson
SOUTH AFRICA is one of the world's fastest-growing exporters.
The country recorded a trade surplus of R2,176-billion for its trade with non-Southern African Customs Union (SACU) trading partners in September. This compares with a R711.8-million surplus in August according to the latest Customs & Excise figures.
Tradek economist Mike Schussler says "it looks like a very good figure.
Traditionally, September is a down month because you've only got 30 days instead
of 31. It should be good for the rand. In the year to August, we've had a year-on-year growth in exports of 6,5% in
dollar terms and it looks like we're going to be the second fastest growing exporter nation.
South Africa's performance for the last 21 months has been exceptionally good.
"We have been in the top three exporter nations in dollar terms." Dawie Roodt, economist at PLJ Financial Services adds "the figure is slightly better than what I expected. A surplus in the current account is pretty much a given now. I think we can expect a surplus of between R2 and 3-billion for the year."