IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The estimated manufacturing production for March 2008 decreased by 1,1% compared with March 2007, the first annual negative growth rate reported in 2008. The basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery and the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport divisions were the main contributors to the decrease in the estimated manufacturing production for March 2008. Manufacturing production for the first three months of 2008 increased by 1,3% year-on-year, reflecting a slowdown compared with the growth of 6,3% reported for the same period in 2007. Seasonally adjusted production in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the fourth quarter of 2007 decreased by 0,5%, caused by decreases in six of the ten major divisions. The comparable figure for the first quarter of 2007 was 1,4%.

The estimated total value of sales of manufactured products at current prices for the first quarter of 2008 increased by 7,1% (R20 790 million), after seasonal adjustment, compared with the fourth quarter of 2007. Higher manufacturing sales were reported by all but one of the ten manufacturing divisions during this period.