South African Academy of Engineering

By Vic Van VuurenChief Operating Officer

Business Unity South Africa

4 February 2008

South Africa as a Role Player in the Global Business and Economic Business Environment

> BUSA is the voice of organised business at both national and international levels in South Africa, and proactively and dynamically addresses different business views.

Who is BUSA ?

THE VISION OF BUSA

> BUSA is a unified and fully representative organisation that contributes to a vibrant, transforming and growing economy in South Africa

The South African Economy

> Growth of 3% per year 1994-2004> Growth of over 4% since 2004 (great

reaction after 2001-2002 crisis)> Inflation target 3-6%> Inflation currently over 6% (oil price

influence) > Relatively stable currency since 2002> Strong fiscal discipline in government> Government budget surplus> Current account deficit driven by high

levels of imports> High unemployment at approx 25%

Economic policy

The Government of South Africa demonstrated its commitment to open markets, privatisation and a favourable investment climate

Prudent Fiscal Policy has seen the reduction of government debt and

Macroeconomic stability achieved continues to foster a positive environment for economic growth

Both monetary and fiscal policy continues to support a positive investment climate

Some SA’s statistics

South AfricaSouth Africa

Population Population (Million)(Million) 47.947.9

GDP GDP (PPP)(PPP) $ 587 billions$ 587 billions

GDP Growth GDP Growth (2006)(2006) 5%5%

GDP per capita GDP per capita (US$ at market exchange rates)(US$ at market exchange rates) 13,30013,300

Inflation Rate (CPI)Inflation Rate (CPI) 4.9%4.9%

Unemployment RateUnemployment Rate 26.7%26.7%

Public Debt Public Debt (% of GDP)(% of GDP) 33.2%33.2%

InvestmentsInvestments (% of GDP) (% of GDP) 17.1%17.1%

Growing Consumer Market> Economic growth lead by consumer demand> Greater employment opportunities and more

people entering the economy> This is evidenced by growing tax base> Increasing importance of services sector> Expanding middle class including through BBBEE> Social security provided to over 7 million

households> Interest in luxury and niche products> 4th fastest growing cell phone market in the

world> Recent slowdown as a result of interest rate

increases> Energy Crisis> Infrastructure in regression

South Africa in Africa> 4% of Africa’s 4% of Africa’s

surfacesurface> 6% of Africa’s 6% of Africa’s

PopulationPopulation> 25% 0f Africa’s 25% 0f Africa’s

GDPGDP> 40% of Africa’s 40% of Africa’s

Industrial outputIndustrial output> Over 45% of Over 45% of

Africa’s minerals Africa’s minerals productionproduction

> 50% of Africa’s 50% of Africa’s Purchasing PowerPurchasing Power

> Over 50% of Over 50% of Africa’s energyAfrica’s energy

Open Economy

> Open economy> Low barriers to trade in goods and

services> WTO member> Preferential market access to key

trading partners including the US> Possible base from which to

export to third countries> Negotiations under way to revise

free trade agreement with the EU

Infrastructure

> Government programme to spend R400 billion (approx 57 billion USD ) over next 3-5 years

> Includes projects for 2010 FIFA World Cup such as new stadiums

> Also includes longer term projects such as power generation and transport systems

> Part of ongoing programme that includes government’s social infrastructure spending

> New opportunities always emerging> In addition high levels of private

sector infrastructure spending> Skills, knowledge, technology and

financing required

2006 South African exports

Exports - commodities: gold, diamonds, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment Imports - commodities: machinery, foodstuffs and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa

FDIs

Since 1994, South Africa has continously provided the right climate to attract significant Foreign Direct investments.

This environment led to the largest single FDI into South Africa when Barclays bought a majority share in local bank Absa Group Limited in 2005.

Deals between the British based Vodafone and South Africa's Vodacom have also taken place in 2006.

Financial overview

Sophisticated financial structure with the JSE Securities Exchange, a large and active stock exchange that ranks 18th in the world in terms of total market capitalisation

Recent evolution:

JSE’s Shareholder composition

The trend of FDIs is also confirmed by the JSE’s evolution!

Source: http://www.jse.co.za/

Priority Sectors

• Business Process OutsourcingBusiness Process Outsourcing

• TourismTourism

• Bio-fuels and chemicalsBio-fuels and chemicals

• Clothing and textilesClothing and textiles

• Mining and mineral beneficiation, Metals and engineeringMining and mineral beneficiation, Metals and engineering

• Agriculture and Agro-processing, Forestry and paperAgriculture and Agro-processing, Forestry and paper

• White goods sectorWhite goods sector

• Creative industriesCreative industries

• PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals

• Capital Goods and EnergyCapital Goods and Energy

• TelecommunicationsTelecommunications

Agriculture

accounts for 3.4% of the gross domestic product and 10% of total employment

Major crops:

Citrus and deciduous fruits Corn Wheat Dairy products Sugarcane Tobacco Wine (South Africa is the 5th largest producer worldwide) Wool Maize

South Africa has many developed irrigation schemes and is a net exporter of food.

Mining & Metals Mining & Metals

> South Africa is the world's largest producer and exporter of gold and platinum and also exports a significant amount of coal

> Another major export is diamonds

> During 2000, platinum overtook gold as South Africa's largest foreign exchange earner

> The value-added processing of minerals to produce ferroalloys, stainless steels, and similar products is a major industry and an important growth area

TelecommunicationsThe domestic telecommunications infrastructure provides modern and efficient service to urban areas, including cellular and internet services. In 1997, Telkom, the South African telecommunications parastatal, was partly privatised and entered into a strategic equity partnership with a consortium of two companies, including SBC (U.S).

In exchange for exclusivity to provide certain services for 5 years, Telkom assumed an obligation to facilitate network modernisation and expansion into unserved areas.

Four cellular companies provide service to over 20 million subscribers, with South Africa considered to have the 4th most advanced mobile telecommunications network worldwide. The four cellular providers are Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Virgin Mobile SA.

Tourism

In 2006 the number of Total ForeignTourist arrivals went up to 8,395,833 increasing by 13,9 % in respect

of 2005 Source: http://www.southafrica.net/satourism/

Tourism (continued)

Source: http://www.southafrica.net/satourism/

Cost of doing business in South Africa(2006 Ranking)

> Overall 29> Starting a business 57> Dealing with licenses 45> Employing workers 87> Registering property 69> Getting credit 33> Protecting investors 9> Paying taxes 74> Trading across borders 67> Enforcing contracts 43> Closing a business 65

Source: World Bank ranking of 175 countries

Global Competitiveness Index for SA> Overall rank 44> Basic requirements 61> Institutions 39> Infrastructure 43> Macro economy 50> Health and primary education 117> Efficiency enhancers 36> Higher education 56> Market efficiency 78> Technological readiness 46> Innovation and sophistication factors 33> Business sophistication 36> Innovation 32

Source: World Economic Forum, 2007

Global Competitiveness Index for SA> Overall rank 44> Basic requirements 61> Institutions 39> Infrastructure 43> Macro economy 50> Health and primary education 117> Efficiency enhancers 36> Higher education 56> Market efficiency 78> Technological readiness 46> Innovation and sophistication factors 33> Business sophistication 36> Innovation 32

Source: World Economic Forum, 2007

THANK YOU!

Vic Van VuurenChief Operating Officer

Business Unity South Africa