SA’s economy will get a boost from perkier commodity prices, a benign inflation outlook, and better rains for the agriculture sector this year, a Reuters poll found on Thursday. The 27 economists in the poll suggested growth in SA would accelerate to 1.1% this year and 1.6% next year. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) estimated GDP expanded 0.4% last year. "Higher commodity prices in combination with lower inflation, stable interest rates and a recovery in the agricultural sector should drive 2017 growth somewhat stronger than in 2016," said Elize Kruger at NKC African Economics. Twelve of 14 economists believed that growth in SA has left the slow expansion trap seen in previous quarters. SA’s growth has been choppy in the past two years, with negative quarterly performances three different times on an annualised basis since 2014. However, KPMG’s Christie Viljoen says positive growth is expected, though it will be very low. Economists back their claims with the annualised growth...
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