Mercurial SA steps back from the fiscal cliff
SA has avoided a potential fiscal crisis, thanks mainly to a R100bn terms-of-trade boost from rampant commodity prices. But it’s not out of the woods yet
01 July 2021 - 05:00
Economists are falling over themselves to revise SA’s near-term fiscal outlook upwards as the commodity boom translates into a far stronger domestic economic recovery than many expected. The prospect of an imminent fiscal crisis is now firmly receding and, with it, the danger of further ratings downgrades.
Along with the commodity windfall — which has brought about R100bn of additional income into the economy — higher inflation, a firmer rand, a reduction in sovereign credit risk and the recent spurt of reform (on energy, SAA and the ports) are all contributing to SA’s fiscal turnaround...
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