ED RICHARDSON SOME 24% of Port Elizabeth and East London businesses believe that China poses a threat to the future of their business, according to a Grant Thornton International Business Owners’ Survey that is conducted among medium-sized businesses. But 40% of businesses in Durban and Pietermaritzburg are most threatened due to the textile industry, which has felt the most pressure of cheap Chinese imports. The manufacturing sector (37%) is most threatened by China. The retail sector (24%), construction (23%) and services (11%) perceive that China will pose a threat in the next two years. South African businesses are yet to experience the benefits of the current Chinese economic boom as 61% report that it has not affected business. Only 15% reported a growth in business. 22% said business had decreased.
