Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will this week release the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2009 and economists are cautiously upbeat about it. 23 Feb 2010
Tim Desmond, director - tax and commercial departments at Garlicke & Bousfield Inc, comments on the draft interpretation note on rules for the translation of amounts denominated in foreign currencies released by SARS recently for public comment. Comments to SARS must be submitted before 8 March 2010. 23 Feb 2010
South Africa's wheat farmers say they are going through their toughest period since agriculture was deregulated in the 1990s as the crop continues to trade at depressed levels. 22 Feb 2010
PARIS, FRANCE: Champagne exports fell by 28% last year at the height of the global economic crisis in a "catastrophic" year for the industry, a French alcohol business body said. 22 Feb 2010
The country's captains of industry have given the clearest signal yet that they are not convinced that Transnet's multibillion-rand investment plan is adequate in creating rail capacity. 22 Feb 2010
Clothing retailers in SA see no quick end to a slump that has battered consumer spending for the best part of two years. 22 Feb 2010
Much of the media furore, that has focused on the belief that any restaurant, pub or hotel planning to show any 2010 FIFA World Cup games will have to apply for a pricey special licence, donate 2% of turnover to liquor authorities and submit a comprehensive security plan, is another unfortunate example of misunderstanding the specific FIFA guidelines. 22 Feb 2010
Truck and bus manufacturers have responded to the growing wave in awareness about the impact of greenhouse gases and rising energy prices by introducing hybrid technology into their product ranges, however, little focus is put on options available to operators from a truck body and trailer perspective. 22 Feb 2010
"Small to medium business customers tell us they want PCs with bold yet professional designs, uncompromising durability and reliability with the latest technologies that meets their budgets," said Henry Ferreira, Lenovo country general manager. "Our answer is the new ThinkPad Edge family of laptops. They deliver stunning technology and powerful performance at an unprecedented value." 22 Feb 2010
The draft liquor control policy, which recently caused an outcry from liquor sellers, is not intended to stifle business during the Soccer World Cup. 21 Feb 2010
NEW YORK, USA: Emerging from the exclusive Marc Jacobs show in New York, Robert Duffy, CEO of the Marc Jacobs line, proclaims to his Twitter audience: "Marc did look good didn't he? I'll tell him." 19 Feb 2010
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's positive tax relief initiatives for the lower income earners will have some positive spinoffs for the retail sector, in particular food retailers, Shanay Narsi, BoE Private Clients' Retail Sector equity analyst, said on Thursday, 18 February 2010. 19 Feb 2010
HARARE, ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe's annual tobacco selling season began on an upbeat note on Tuesday, 16 February 2010, when a bumper crop went under the hammer, attributed by industry officials to good prices and more farmers. 19 Feb 2010
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA: Ethiopia on Wednesday, 17 February 2010, launched a direct bidding market for international coffee transactions to promote fair trade and boost the income of its impoverished farmers. 19 Feb 2010
In 2010, Absa, Engen and the Woolworths Trust have committed R12m over the next three years to EduPlant, a permaculture food gardening programme coordinated by Food & Trees for Africa that encourages schools to cultivate their own food in an ecologically sustainable manner. The programme has been operating for the past 16 years across South Africa. 19 Feb 2010
Lipogen, a generic cholesterol lowering medication, is reputedly the first product to be launched in South Africa embossed with Braille for easy identification by the blind. For many years, the inability of the blind and partially sighted to read the labels and packaging of their medication has represented a serious health-risk to those individuals. 19 Feb 2010
Collect-a-Can is searching for companies in outlying areas to become agents and assist in its can recycling projects. Scrap metal dealers, multi-recycling companies and/or any other businesses that are willing and have the infrastructure to assist, are encouraged to get involved. The agents would be helping their community while at the same time benefiting from being part of the network. 19 Feb 2010
Baxters, the family-owned, Scots premium-food company, has relaunched its range of canned soups. Packaging across the portfolio has also been refreshed to support the relaunch, with clearer labelling and a more distinctive and premium look. 19 Feb 2010
Drinkers and smokers won't be smoking the peace pipe with Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan any time soon after he hit them where it hurts most. 18 Feb 2010
Nelspruit and White River wine lovers will see the launch of the inaugural Mpumalanga Wine Show, to take place at Ingwenyama Conference and Sport Resort from 12 - 14 March 2010. 18 Feb 2010
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