IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The total turnover of all industries for the first quarter of 2007 was estimated at R1 011 201 million (R1,01 trillion), a decrease of 1,8% compared with the revised fourth quarter of 2006 (R1 029 953 million or R 1,03 trillion).

Between the fourth quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007 turnover decreased in five of the eight industries covered in the survey. The largest decrease was recorded for manufacturing (-3,5%), followed by mining and quarrying (-2,8%), trade (-2,1%), transport, storage and communication (-0,3%) and community, social and personal services (excluding government institutions) (-0,1%). Increases were reported in construction (+2,7%), electricity, gas and water supply (+1,6%) and business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+0,5%).
 
Total capital expenditure on new buildings, machinery, furniture, vehicles and other equipment, which was estimated at R47 138 million for all industries for the first quarter of 2007, decreased by 14,4% compared with the revised fourth quarter of 2006 (R55 059 million). Decreases were reported in community, social and personal services (excluding government institutions) (-60,1%), manufacturing (-37,9%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-21,6%), transport, storage and communication (-6,9%), mining and quarrying (-4,6%) and trade (-1,7%). Increases were reported in electricity, gas and water supply (+40,1%) and construction (+8,1%).

Book value of fixed assets as at the end of the first quarter of 2007 was estimated at R1 058 955 million (R1,06 trillion), a decrease of 2,3% compared with the revised fourth quarter of 2006 (R1 083 652 million or R1,08 trillion). The highest decrease was reported in transport, storage and communication (-16,5%), followed by community, social and personal services (excluding government institutions) (-2,0%), mining and quarrying (-0,3%) and manufacturing (-0,3%).  Increases were reported in electricity, gas and water supply (+6,0%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+2,3%), construction (+1,2%) and trade (+0,2%).

Total inventories at the end of the first quarter of 2007 were estimated at R321 787 million, compared with R312 418 million for the revised fourth quarter of 2006, an increase of 3,0%. The highest increase in inventories was recorded for mining and quarrying (+5,7%), followed by construction (+4,9%), manufacturing (+4,1%) and trade (+2,2%). Decreases were reported in community, social and personal services (excluding government institutions) (-8,4%), electricity, gas and water supply (-0,9%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-0,6%) and transport, storage and communication (-0,1%).