Confidence benefits from real action

SACCI’s October 2018 trade conditions survey indicated continued, strained activity, while the six-month prospects were muted, but stable. There are signs that the subtle turnaround in SACCI’s Business Confidence Index (BCI) in September was maintained in October 2018, by gaining another 2.5 index points to record 95.8. Last year the BCI shed 0.1 index points. The BCI was also 2.9 points higher in October 2018 than in October 2017.

As the SACCI BCI comprises of critical elements inherent to the business climate, it is significant that the average BCI for the first ten months of 2018 was higher than the average of the BCI for the same period in 2017. The adverse economic and business environment was addressed by real action and could be more sustainable and enduring if followed by economic policy certainty.

Several events and developments during October 2018 affected the local economy and the business climate. One of the important events was the appointment of Minister Mboweni on 9 October 2018, as Minister of Finance, following from the resignation of Minister Nene. Further developments included the IMF releasing its latest World Economic Outlook; Moody’s releasing a research note on South Africa’s credit rating; the Investment Summit; and the Minister of Finance delivering his inaugural Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) on 24 October 2018.

The economic policy should be adhered to, to require the general conditions to prevail, with sacrifices made to promote continuous, higher growth. The latest IMF and Treasury estimates for growth are below 1 percent for 2018 and only slightly better in 2019. It is timeous to make a realistic assessment of the economy and business climate, which both could benefit by taking real action.

For a full background to this month’s SACCI BCI see the economic commentary in the BCI report on www.sacci.org.za.

Second round of Comments on Carbon Tax

The Minister of Finance recently announced the implementation of the carbon tax effective from 1 June 2019. The Draft Carbon Tax Bill makes provision for the carbon offset allowance in terms of Section 13.

The National Treasury today publishes the Draft Regulation on the Carbon Offset for a second round of public comment and further consultation. A key design feature of the carbon tax is the carbon offset allowance which provides flexibility to firms to reduce their carbon tax liability by either 5 or 10 percent of their total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by investing in projects that reduce their emissions.

The main comments received on the first Draft Regulation on the Carbon Offset focused on:

 the design of the carbon offset including the role of the carbon offset in facilitating the transition to a low carbon economy;

 scope of the offsets and the suitability of a cap on the allowance; and

 the technical, legal and administrative aspects of the regulation.

Due date for comments

The Draft Regulation on the Carbon Offset is available on the National Treasury website:

Written comments should be submitted to revisedoffsetcomments@treasury.gov.za by close of business on 14 December 2018. Members interested in a copy of the Carbon Tax Regulation should contact Mmabatho at secretary@middelburginfo.com for a copy.

MCCI urges the government take note ove the impact the implementation Carbon Tax had on France and the Yellow vest riots.

Sponsored Management Training

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry again offers the opportunity for our Members to send their employees for sponsored world-class management and leadership. Our partnership with WITS Business School and Services SETA has over the years ensured more than 500 bursaries are allocated to local businesses in Middelburg and surrounding towns in Mpumalanga.

Submit your name and contact details to ensure you do not miss out on this opportunity, to businesslink@middelburginfo.com. Communication will commence January/February 2019.

Testimonial from one of the 2018 students:

Thank you to Wits Business School and to the Middleburg Chamber of Commerce for giving us access to a great educational initiative. I completed my MDP in 2018, and it was really excellent, and all the lectures shared valuable information, and it opened many doors of opportunities for me. Yolandi Kleinhans from MPVO

Do not miss this valuable opportunity.

For more info contact Sindiswa or Nomshado : 013 243 2253

Tourism Signage Development Plan

On the 15th of November 2018, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency hosted a meeting regarding Tourism Signage in Mpumalanga. Local Municipalities and owners of local facilities attended.

Over the last couple of years, the Middelburg Tourist Information Centre assisted local facilities with branding their facilities with the use of Tourism Brown Boards.

Tourism signage is a vital part of destination marketing and management. Signage has many functions – it can attract visitors, provide direction and wayfinding, inform and educate. It also plays a critical role in linking visitors to the “product” or experiences within the area.

The fluidity in the tourism industry such as facilities may appear one year only to be replaced or fall away from the next due to the changing owners, customer needs or falling standards. Also, new facilities appear continually, and the demands to ‘announce’ a growing number of facilities at any one location in the road reserve cannot always be accommodated by the road authority in the longer term.

There are different types of tourist signage for facilities, such as:

  • Visitor/Tourist Information Centres
  • Pedestrian Signing
  • Accommodation Signing
  • Scenic Route Signing

Looking at branding your facilities with Tourism Brown Boards? Contact us on:

info@middelburginfo.com or 013 243 2253

Would you like to become a South African Tourist Specialist?

Register online NOW!!Just follow this link (https://saspecialist.southafrica.net/za/en) and create a profile.  This Speciality Online Course is divided into two sections namely the SA Specialist Essential & SA Specialist Experience.

This online course will equip you to sell South Africa as a whole to tourist looking for a destination to travel to.

Study when it suits you, free module-based online experience, easy to use and understand as well as hosts tons of important about South Africa.  You have 90 days to complete this course.

Why should you register?

  • Improve your knowledge on South Africa.
  • Improve your earning potential.
  • Improve business opportunities.
  • It’s free!

After this course, you’ll receive a branded Certificate confirming your completion of these courses.

What is Speed Networking?

Speed networking is an exciting and high impact way of meeting new clients, make new friends, and promote your own business and to exchange business ideas with other business professionals.

Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a Speed Networking Function on Thursday 22 November at their venue.

Join us next time. You might just meet your next best client.

Call Annelie/Mmabatho 013 243 2253

People serious about business, networking at MCCI Speed networking function.