JOHANNESBURG, Sept 6 (Reuters) – Business confidence in
South Africa rebounded to a five-month high in August mainly as
sentiment about real economic activity improved in the month
regardless of labour clashes in the mining sector, a survey
showed on Thursday.
The Business Confidence Index (BCI) rose 4.1 points to 95 in
August, climbing out of its previous 12-month low in July, data
from the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI)
showed.
SACCI said diversity in the South African economy made it
less vulnerable to specific events, such as the platinum sector
strife in which 44 people were killed last month.
However the business group said it was concerned about the
negative investor sentiment related to the mining sector.
“While the sector remains under severe operational and
competitive pressures, mines are also burdened by the militant
labour behaviour that undermines the sector’s investment
appeal,” it said.
(Reporting by Xola Potelwa; Editing by Ed Cropley)
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