IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Manufacturing production for the first six months of 2007 increased by 5,4% compared with the first six months of 2006. This is the highest increase in manufacturing production ever reported for the first six month of a year since 1998. Despite the reported strong growth of 5,4%, some of the major manufacturing divisions reported lower production for June 2007, mainly as a result of unforeseen longer maintenance spans, replacement of local demand by imports and changing international trading conditions. Consequently, the estimated seasonally adjusted manufacturing production for the second quarter of 2007 remained unchanged compared with the first quarter of 2007. Although the second quarter growth in manufacturing production remained unchanged, five of the ten divisions, reported higher levels of production.

The estimated total value of sales of manufactured products at current prices for the second quarter of 2007 increased by 1,6% (R4 254 million), after seasonal adjustment, compared with the first quarter of 2007.