Trade conditions improve — along with traders’ outlook, Sacci says
TRADE conditions improved in August as traders experienced higher sales volumes and new orders, which supported job creation in the trade sector.The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) seasonally adjusted trade activity index rose to 52 in August from 47 in July, Sacci said on Wednesday. The index was three points higher in August 2016 compared with a year ago.A reading of above 50 suggests positive and improving trade conditions.Traders who participated in the Sacci survey also expected conditions to pick up over the coming six months on projections that sales and new orders will rise strongly.However, traders also saw higher input prices and expected to raise the selling prices for their merchandise.The weak rand is making imports more expensive.For the current trade conditions, respondents cited political instability, low economic prospects, volatility of the currency, seasonal factors and regulatory compliance costs as impeding the trade conditions.The success...
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