SOUTH AFRICA ECONOMIC NEWSLETTER

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 PRETORIA 004784 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/S/JDIFFILY; AF/EPS; EB/IFD/OMA USDOC FOR 4510/ITA/MAC/AME/OA/DIEMOND TREASURY FOR OAISA/BARBER/WALKER/JEWELL USTR FOR COLEMAN LONDON FOR GURNEY; PARIS FOR NEARY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EINV EFIN ETRD BEXP KTDB PGOV SF SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA ECONOMIC NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 29, 2004 ISSUE ¶1. Summary. Each week, AMEmbassy Pretoria publishes an economic newsletter based on South African press reports. Comments and analysis do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the U.S. Government. Topics of this week's newsletter are: - New Bank Account Aimed at Poor; - Mid Term Expenditure Framework Submitted to Parliament; - Consumer Inflation Subdued; - European Firm Survey Optimistic on SA Economy; - Producer Prices Remain Low End Summary. New Bank Account Aimed at Poor -------------- ¶2. South African banks introduced a new national banking account, Mzansi, aimed at attracting the over 13 million South Africans not participating in the formal financial sector. The government's goal of banking the 'unbanked' population drove this low-cost account via the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) financial services charter. Government hopes to reach this goal by encouraging banks to lower their historically high bank charges and increase the number of ATMs and branches in lower-income areas. Charges for the Mzansi account vary between banks and range from 30 percent to 60 percent less than charges on previous account offerings. Typical bank charges for Mzanzi accounts include ATM cash withdrawals and cash deposits, with each bank charging different amounts. The bank charges for ATM cash withdrawals range between R3.25 ($0.52, using 6.2 rands per dollar) and R5 ($.81). Bank charges for cash deposits range from R4 ($0.65) to R10.75 ($1.73). Other types of charges also vary by bank. FNB charges the lowest rates for using the Mzansi card as a debit card to pay for goods, while ABSA bank charges no fee to open a new account, has no minimum balance requirements, and does not charge for failed transactions when funds are inadequate. A deposit of R20 ($3.23) is required to open an account, and some banks require a minimum account balance as well. South African banks pooled their infrastructure costs of establishing Mzansi accounts, which means that 12,000 ATMs are available to every Mzansi account holder. So far, the big four South African banks and Postbank, the post office's savings institution, are the only one offering the Mzansi account. Source: Business Day and Business Report, October 26. MID TERM EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT -------------- -------------- ¶3. Every October, the Finance Minister presents the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS),which highlights the South African budget framework for the next three years. MTBPS updates economic growth and revenue and expenditure forecasts and suggests potential policy changes that would support the government's key priorities. Key highlights of Finance Minister Trevor Manuel's speech included: (1) relaxation of foreign exchange controls on South African corporations; (2) an additional R50 billion ($8 billion) aimed at poverty alleviation, infrastructure improvements and increased wages of teachers and police; (3) no substantial tax changes; and (4) increased budget deficit in 2005/6, rising to 3.5 percent of GDP compared to 3.2 percent in 2004/05. GDP forecasted growth for the next two years were revised, reaching 3.9 and 3.7 percent 2005 and 2006, compared to February 2004's forecasts of 3.6 and 4 percent respectively. Fiscal policy continues to remain slightly expansionary in the short term. In FY 2005, the deficit as a percentage of GDP should reach 3.2 percent and then gradually decline to 2.5 percent by FY2007, as revenues should increase by 10 percent and expenditures by 9 percent over the two-year period. High growth in social services spending puts increasing pressure on government expenditures. Welfare and social security spending (including child support, disability and elderly grants) constitute the fastest growing share of overall expenditures, increasing from 18.6 percent of total government expenditures in FY 2004 to 20 percent by 2007. Health spending shares will remain relatively constant at 12.5 percent in FY2004 and reaching 12.6 percent by 2007. Little change in tax policy was announced. Gross tax revenue for 2004/05 is expected to be R1.9 billion higher than the February 2004. Corporate taxes are expected be R6.2 billion less than budgeted, higher value added and personal tax revenues offset weaker corporate tax collections. The inflation rate, consumer prices excluding mortgages (CPIX) remains well within the targeted 3-6 percent range at 5 percent over the next three years. Source: Business Day and Business Report, October 27; Standard Bank's MTEF Alert, October 26. ¶4. Comment. The most unexpected announcement was the relaxation of exchange rate controls for corporations. The present rules limits offshore investments to R2 billion per project for investments in Africa and R1 billion elsewhere, in addition to 20 percent of the excess cost. Now, the limits on outward investments by local corporations and restrictions on the repatriation for foreign dividends are removed as well as restrictions on individuals to invest in foreign firms listed on the South African exchanges. Even though there are no restrictions on corporations' foreign direct investment, corporations will still be required to apply to the Reserve Bank for approval. Limits on pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds (unit trusts) and individuals are still in place but expectations are that they will be removed soon. More relaxed exchange controls for corporations should help the government's goal of investment reaching 25 percent of GDP by 2014. End Comment. CONSUMER INFLATION SUBDUED -------------- ¶5. In September, consumer prices increased 1.3 percent (y/y) slightly higher than August's y/y increase of 1 percent, and consumer prices excluding mortgages (CPIX) increased 3.7 percent well within the market expectations of 3.9 percent. Increases in transport and food explained much of September's increase in prices while declines in housing and medical care and expenses offset the sharp increase in transport expenses. Administered prices (price set by either government or official regulatory body rather than the market) continued to show strong growth, increasing by 7.4 percent in September. Food inflation increased of 1.6 percent annually compared to 1.4 percent in August. So far, rain in South Africa has not been sufficient to plant, although increased imports can increase domestic food supplies. Rising food costs and oil prices are potential future risks, although the current rand strength will mitigate the impact of increased inflation coming from imports. Source: Standard Bank CPI Alert, October 27; Statistics SA Release P 0141.1 and Discussion Document, Administered Prices September 2004. EUROPEAN FIRM SURVEY OPTIMISTIC ON SA ECONOMY -------------- ¶6. The Bilateral Chamber Consultative Committee, an informal group of business chambers representing about 3000 foreign companies with more than R360 billion ($58 billion) investments in South Africa conducted a survey among 252 of its member companies from May to June 2004 and its findings were presented to Parliament's Trade and Industry Portfolio Committee. Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland were represented in the survey. Of the companies that responded, 59 percent said developments in Zimbabwe had affected their businesses, while 79 percent rated government's HIV/AIDS policy as "bad to very bad". In the recent survey, 78 percent of respondents found the economy to be satisfactory to excellent, compared with 31 percent in 2002, and 95 percent expected it to remain the same or improve. Sixty percent felt that investment would increase and 47 percent had created new jobs. Fourteen percent of firms indicated intentions to disinvest, citing this as a natural process within globalization. A reasonable return on investment, cheap electricity and a competitive marketplace were some of the positive economic features cited, though the rand's volatility had caused problems. Levels of confidence in the government had strengthened considerably, with 53 percent expressing increased confidence, compared with only 32 percent in ¶2002. Relative confidence was expressed in the future of a market-driven economy (70 percent),balanced taxation (53 percent),democracy (46 percent),political leadership (34 percent),and equal opportunities for foreign business (32 percent). However, significant concern was expressed over corruption, the competence of the civil service, inflexible labor regulations and crime and violence. There was strong pessimism about the accountability of trade unions, labor productivity, investment incentives, and the free transfer of funds out of South Africa. While the survey findings were positive in many areas, some ANC Members of Parliament, including committee chairman Ben Martins, latched on to the negative perceptions and expressed skepticism about its objectivity and the validity of the findings, questioning the reasons for including question about Zimbabwe on the survey and arguing that Zimbabwe was no different to any other African country. Source: Business Day, October 25. PRODUCER PRICES REMAIN LOW -------------- ¶7. The producer price index (PPI) increased 1.4 percent in September, lower than the Reuters consensus view of 1.8 percent. The main contributors to September's rise were increases in the prices of petroleum and coal products as well as the prices of basic metals. While oil prices are still high, the rand maintained its strength, averaging R6.5 per dollar in September. The rand has strengthened further in October, offsetting some of the inflationary impact of rising oil prices. Domestic producer prices increased by 2.4 percent while imported producer prices declined by 1.7 percent. Lower electricity prices, declining by 28 percent as Eskom switched from higher winter prices to summer, contributed to September's moderation in producer inflation. Source: Business Report, October 29; Standard Bank PPI Alert, October 29. FRAZER