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/ 25 October 2006

More money for hospitals, housing, Aids

South Africa’s nine provinces are to receive an additional R28,2-billion over the next three years, according to Finance Minister Trevor Manuel’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. Provincial government is projected to get R178,3-billion this year — 2006/07 — including R150,7-billion from the equitable share and R27,5-billion in conditional grants.

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/ 25 October 2006

Narrowing of current-account deficit expected

A narrowing in the current-account deficit is expected over the remainder of 2006 as oil prices and import volumes ease and as exports pick up, the Treasury said in its Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on Wednesday. The Treasury said that a deficit of 5,7% of GDP was expected in the current year, with the deficit projected to average 5,6% over the medium term.

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/ 25 October 2006

Tax revenue seen up by almost R30bn

South African Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel has revised upward by R29,6-billion the government’s projected revenue collections for the 2006/07 financial year. The sharp increase — to R486,4-billion from R456,8-billion estimated in February’s national budget — was attributable largely to higher-than-expected collections in corporate and individual income tax.

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/ 25 October 2006

JSE at new high on world markets, metals

The JSE was steaming ahead in noon trade on Wednesday, propelled by firmer world markets and relatively high commodity prices. The bourse hit another record high — its seventh in the last ten trading days. At 12.20pm, the all-share index was up 0,29% at 23 600,8 having touched a best-ever level of 23 648,4.

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/ 25 October 2006

Zimbabwe waters down new mining law

Foreign mining firms in Zimbabwe may be allowed to retain their majority shareholding as a reward for their contribution to the development of local communities under amendments to proposed new legislation. The government announced in March plans for a law to compel foreign firms to hand over 51% of their equity to local investors.