MONDAY, 10AM:
A new World Trade Organisation report shows South Africa brought in more anti-dumping measures last year than any other country, a quarter of them targetted at China. Among locally-manufactured items protected against imports from China are textiles, forks, garden equipment and flat glass, while PVC manufacturers here are protected against Brazilian, Taiwainese, French, American and German imports.
Currently South Africa has brought in 61 anti-dumping measures. The world leader is the United States, with 332.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
LABOUR BILL THROUGH THE National Council of Provinces, which replaces the Senate as parliament’s ‘second house’ passed the contentious Basic Conditions of Employment Bill though its labour committee on Monday without any amendments.
ROOIVALK DEAL ON HOLD MALAYSIA, first foreign customer for South Africa’s Rooivalk military helicopter, has postponed the R1 billion deal due to the fall in its currency and tough austerity measures imposed by the International Monetary Fund.
MIH VIEWERS GROW MIH, the M-Net-linked holding company for pay-TV and digital satellite TV throughout Africa, the Middle and Far East, has reported strong viewer growth in the six months to September to 1,16 million, pushing turnover above R1 billion. Digital television now reaches 177 000 homes, an increase of 73 000. MIH has also begun major investments in the Internet, under the brand M-Web, which has a five year plan to become market leader in connectivity and interactive content.
NDHLELA FORMALLY SUSPENDED TRANSNET executive director Joe Ndhlela was formally suspended from his job this week, pending the results of a disciplinary hearing into his behaviour. Ndhlela allegedly bugged his colleagues offices and has also been charged with financial misconduct.
MUNICIPALITIES TO REPORT REGULATIONS promulgated in the Government Gazette on Friday make it compulsory for all municipalities to report publicy on their financial affairs, with detailed accounts of their debts in rates, water, electricity , refuse, gas and sewerage service.
MTN’S CASE DISMISSED THE Pretoria High Court on Thursday dismissed a challenge by cellphone network MTN brought against a 1986 government notice prohibiting restrictive practices such as horizontal price collusion, collusion on market sharing and conditions of supply, and collusive tendering. The court dismissed the challenge with costs.