Trade conditions remained depressed in September, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said in its monthly Trade Conditions Survey released on Monday.
”The Trade Activity Index, which measures current trade conditions, moved laterally in September 2008 to 45 after recording 46 in August 2008,” SACCI said in a statement.
”This followed on a steady decline from 50 in February 2008 to 42 in June 2008. Although more stable, trade conditions remained depressed and hesitant in negative territory.”
However, there were more optimistic trade prospects for 2009, said SACCI.
”Trade expectations tend to be on hold at marginally improved levels as financial conditions remain steady and cost pressures appear to be easing.”
Inflationary pressures eased as fuel and food prices started to decrease from elevated levels earlier this year.
But employment prospects in the trade environment dipped from 51 in August to 48 in September, ”thereby crossing into negative territory again”, said SACCI. — Sapa