...
Post A Reply
my profile
|
directory
login
|
register
|
search
|
faq
|
forum home
»
EgyptSearch Forums
»
Egyptology
»
OT: African Computer Technology Comes Full Circle
» Post A Reply
Post A Reply
Login Name:
Password:
Message Icon:
Message:
HTML is not enabled.
UBB Code™ is enabled.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by kenndo: [QB] i disagree,south africa does have a advanced computer industry,nigeria is getting up their too but not as advanced so far,but it's there.this is just some of the examples of the countries i mention so far.Wed, 12 Jul 2006 About South Africa South Africa map SA photo galleries SA web directory Site map Advice for citizens Advice for foreigners South Africans abroad Economy Investing in South Africa Incentives Opportunities Regulations Who can help Trade with South Africa Trends & Growth Business news Holiday experiences Smart travel tips News and features Arts and entertainment Conferences and expos Sport Quick forecasts SA Weather Service Mapping the best sites in SA cyberspace - goSouthAfrica Find your way on our interactive macro-to-micro South Africa map South Africa: open for business South Africa is one of the most sophisticated and promising emerging markets in the world, offering a unique combination of highly developed first world economic infrastructure with a vibrant emerging market economy. It is also one of the most advanced and productive economies in Africa. Here are just some of the reasons for doing business in South Africa: Sound economic policies Favourable legal and business environment World-class infrastructure Access to markets Gateway to Africa Trade reform, free trade agreements Cost of doing business in SA Ease of doing business in SA Industrial capability, cutting-edge technology Competitiveness Sound economic policies Since the political reforms of 1994, South Africa's economy has been undergoing structural transformation, with the implementation of macro-economic policies aimed at promoting domestic competitiveness, growth and employment and increasing the economy's outward orientation. Key economic reforms have given rise to a high level of macro-economic stability. Taxes have been reduced, tariffs lowered, the fiscal deficit brought under control, and exchange controls relaxed. Government expenditure has also been restructured towards social services that are contributing to a better quality of life for all South Africans. South Africa's central bank, the SA Reserve Bank, maintains its independence from government. The Bank's programme of inflation targeting has had positive outcomes, the real interest rate has stabilised and the currency is able to fluctuate at competitive levels. The elimination of the Bank's net open forward position (uncovered future foreign exchange liabilities) has also contributed to increased financial stability. President Thabo Mbeki has made it clear that foreign investment is welcome in South Africa, and government policy supports the public pronouncements. In 2005, the government began formulating a new strategy to boost the country's economic growth rate to 6% of GDP by 2014 and reduce unemployment. Implementation of the strategy - involving large-scale state investment in infrastructure, small business and skills development, and interventions targeting specific areas of the economy - has since begun. South Africa's economic policies Favourable legal and business environment South Africa has a world-class, progressive legal framework. Legislation pertaining to commerce, labour and maritime issues is particularly well developed, while laws relating to competition policy, copyright, patents, trademarks and disputes conform to international norms and conventions. Sanctity of contract is protected under common law, and independent courts ensure respect for commercial rights and obligations. The independence of the judiciary is guaranteed by the Constitution. South Africa's financial systems are sophisticated, robust and well regulated. South African banking regulations rank with the best in the world, while the sector has long been rated among the top 10 globally. Foreign banks are well represented and electronic banking facilities are extensive, with internet banking a growth feature of the sector. The JSE Limited is the 18th largest exchange in the world by market capitalisation (some R3.3-trillion as of September 2005). The JSE's rules and their enforcement are based on global best practice, while the JSE's automated trading, settlement, transfer and registration systems are the equal of any in the world World-class infrastructure South Africa has world-class infrastructure - including a modern transport system, low-cost and widely available energy, and sophisticated telecommunications facilities. South Africa's infrastructure Access to markets Located at the southernmost tip of the African continent, South Africa is ideally positioned for easy access to the countries comprising the Southern African Development Community (SADC) - with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) in the region of US$160-billion and some 185-million people - the islands off Africa's east coast, and even the Gulf States and India. South Africa also and serves as a trans-shipment point between the emerging markets of Central and South America and the newly industrialised nations of South and Far East Asia. Major shipping lanes pass along the South African coastline in the South Atlantic and Indian oceans through its seven commercial ports, which form by far the largest, best equipped and most efficient network on the continent. These ports are not only conduits for trade between South Africa and her partners in the SADC and the South African Customs Union, but also function as hubs for traffic emanating from and destined for Europe, Asia, the Americas and the east and west coasts of Africa. Gateway to Africa Not only is South Africa in itself an important emerging market, it is also a minimum requirement for accessing other sub-Saharan markets. The country borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho, and its well-developed road and rail links provide the platform and infrastructure for ground transportation deep into sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, South Africa has the resident marketing skills and distribution channels imperative for commercial ventures into Africa. The country plays a significant role in supplying energy, relief aid, transport, communications and outward investment on the continent. SA was the largest investor into the rest of Africa between 1990 and 2000, according to a 2003 report by LiquidAfrica Research, with investment averaging around US$1.4-billion, amounting to some $12.5-billion over the decade. South Africa is also a dynamic force within the 14-member South African Development Community (SADC), and has been a key player in the development of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad), the socio-economic renewal programme of the African Union. Trade reform, free trade agreements Since signing the Global Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in 1994, South Africa has become a player in the global trading system, and a series of trade reforms - including a tariff reduction and rationalisation programme - have been introduced. Market access has been enhanced through free trade agreements with the European Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act by the US. South Africa is also seeking to develop bilateral trade relations with markets in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Market access under current trade agreements: SA-EU Free Trade Agreement Provides 95% of South Africa's exports with duty-free access to the EU within the next 10 years. The agreement pertains to industrial goods and agriculture, with commodities such as steel, ferro alloys, aluminium, furniture and automotive products standing to gain substantially. In turn, South Africa is to remove duties on 86% of its total imports from the EU. The agreement makes provision for the establishment of new industries to produce for the EU. SADC Free Trade Agreement To be implemented by 2008, the agreement will play a key role in fostering regional prosperity, as it encourages intra-regional trade and promotes investment and technology transfers. Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) Supplements existing US programmes aiming to increase trade and investment between the United States and developing countries. Agoa expands the duty-free treatment under the GSP programme to September 2008, eliminates most of the limitations of the GSP programme for sub-Saharan African countries, and expands the product coverage of the GSP programme exclusively for products of sub-Saharan Africa. The Act includes duty-free treatment of 1 800 tariff line items (in addition to the standard GSP list of roughly 4 600 items currently available to non-Agoa GSP beneficiary countries), while providing duty-free and quota-free access to the US market without limits for apparel manufactured in sub-Saharan countries using US fabric, yarn and thread. Cost of doing business in SA A recent survey by The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked South Africa as highly cost effective (10th out of 31 countries surveyed). South Africa's exchange rate makes it one of the least expensive countries in which to do business - particularly one with a first-world infrastructure and high living standards. Even though stronger local currency has strengthened against other major currencies in recent years, the rand exchange rate still makes commercial and residential property, quality hotels and restaurants inexpensive by world standards. South Africa's energy costs are also among the lowest in the world. Eskom supplies most of Africa with electricity, and is known for its superior supply quality. The country also compares favourably for petroleum prices, with private sector and multinational oil companies refining and marketing nearly all imported petroleum products in southern Africa. The licensing of a second fixed-line operator is expected to bring down the cost of telecommunications in South Africa. The new operator is due to begin operating by the end of 2006, giving state company Telkom its first taste of real competition. South Africa's unit labour costs are significantly lower than those of other key emerging markets, including Mexico, Hungary, Malaysia and Singapore. In addition, recent years have seen a surge in the country's labour productivity. South Africa has a comprehensive labour legislation in place, facilitating labour relations and contributing to a marked decline in the number of man-days lost due to industrial action since 1994. South Africa's corporate tax rate - down to 29% for 2005/06 - compares favourably against a number of developing companies, and the prospects of further reductions are good. Ease of doing business in SA South Africa is among the top 30 countries in the world for ease of doing business, according to a 2005 World Bank report. The finding suggests that South Africa is making progress in creating an environment conducive to investment, which the government has identified as key to achieving a 6% growth rate. The survey ranked 155 countries according to the number of procedures, time and costs involved in: starting a business; dealing with licences; hiring and firing workers; registering property; getting credit; protection for investors; paying taxes; trading across borders; enforcing contracts; and closing a business. South Africa ranked 28th, ahead Spain (ranked at 30), Austria (32), France (44), Russia (79), China (91) and Brazil (119). Overall, SA had the highest ease-of-business ranking on the African continent. Industrial capability, cutting-edge technology South Africa's industrial production growth is well above the average for developing markets. The country's manufacturing output is becoming increasingly technology-intensive, with high-tech manufacturing sectors - such as machinery, scientific equipment and motor vehicles - enjoying a growing share of total manufacturing output since 1994. SA's technological research and quality standards are world-renowned. The country has developed a number of leading technologies, particularly in the fields of energy and fuels, steel production, deep-level mining, telecommunications and information technology. Competitiveness A number of industrial support measures have been introduced since 1994 to enhance the competitiveness of South Africa's industrial base. These include placing more emphasis on supply-side than demand-side measures (such as tariffs and expensive export support programmes). The government has provided incentives for value-added manufacturing projects, support for industrial innovation, improved access to finance, and an enabling environment for small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) development. Industrial development zones have been established in close proximity to major ports and airports, offering world-class infrastructure, dedicated customs support and reduced taxation. South Africa has a well-developed and regulated competition regime based on best international practice. The Competition Act of 1998 fundamentally reformed the country's competition legislation, strengthening the powers of the competition authorities along the lines of the European Union, US and Canadian models. The law places various prohibitions on anti-competitive conduct, restrictive practices (such as price fixing, predatory pricing and collusive tendering) and "abuses" by "dominant" firms (firms with a market share of 35% or more). Authorities have been appointed to monitor implementation and adherence to the law, and regulators have been assigned to oversee natural monopolies and promote universal access to utilities. SouthAfrica.info reporter, incorporating material from the Department of Trade and Industry [IMG] http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/doing_business/692-1828-0-0_210151.jpg[/IMG] South Africa offers investors a business destination combining a number of ideals: the stability of a developed country ... [IMG] http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/doing_business/692-1828-0-0_210153.jpg[/IMG] ... the opportunities of a vibrant emerging market ... [IMG] http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/doing_business/692-1828-0-0_210150.jpg[/IMG] ... and a climate that fosters growth (From the International Marketing Council's documentary on South Africa as a business destination) South Africa: economy overview Exporting from South Africa Economic policies Infrastructure Key sectors Investment opportunities Incentives for investors Investment sectors in South Africa The quick guide to South Africa Department of Trade and Industry South African Treasury South African Reserve Bank INDICATORS $ = R 7.11 £ = R 13.13 € = R 9.09 Gold = $ 642.55 Oil = $ 72.91 Last update 12-Jul-2006 09:42:00 JSE: financial data, currency converter SARB: financial, economic data & info Economy overview South Africa is the economic powerhouse of Africa, with a gross domestic product (GDP) four times that of its southern African neighbours and comprising around 25% of the entire continent's GDP. Investment opportunities Set out by sector and by geographical location. Start finding out why South Africa is alive with investment possibility. Investor confidence grows South Africa is becoming the investment destination of choice of an increasing number of leading global companies: British bank Barclays bought a majority stake in South African bank Absa for close on £3-billion (around R30-billion) in 2005 - the biggest single foreign direct investment ever in the country. In March 2005, Indian industrial giant Tata announced plans to invest US$245-million (around R1.5-billion) in new projects in South Africa, where its business includes IT services, telecoms, bus body building and car distribution. In April 2005, General Motors announced plans to invest US$100-million in its South African production facilities, after awarding its South African arm a $3-billion contract to manufacture a new global version of its Hummer sports utility vehicle for export to markets outside the US. Also in May 2005, Belgian-owned Sander International Textiles announced plans to invest close to US$32-million in Coega, a new deepwater port and industrial development zone in the Eastern Cape. In October 2005, German industrial group MAN Ferrostaal announced plans to invest about US$300-million in a stainless steel precision strip mill at Coega and an oil rig manufacturing plant at Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. In February 2006, British telecommunications firm TalkTalk announced plans to spend £20-million setting up two call centres, one in Cape Town and the other in Johannesburg, in the biggest foreign investment yet in South Africa's burgeoning call centre industy. Also in February 2006, British communications giant Vodafone concluded a US$2.4-billion deal that gives it an 84% stake (and 90% effective voting interest) in South African investment firm VenFin, giving Vodafone access to VenFin's 15% stake in South African mobile phone operator Vodacom. Tourists | Investors | Immigrants | Citizens | South Africans Abroad Home | Site Map | South Africa Map | SA Web Directory Design, contents, site maintenance: Big Media Publishers (Pty) Limited Queries about the site? Contact the webmaster Published for the International Marketing Council of South Africa. Reliance on the information this website contains is at your own risk. Please read our Terms and Conditions of Use. South Africa offers investors a business destination combining a number of ideals: the stability of a developed country ... to read more http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=372851 South Africa's telecommunications http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=372838 nigeria's growing computer and computer chip industry http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=371766 nigeria joins the space age and NIGERIA TO LAUNCH NIGCOMSAT-1 IN 2006/ south africa already has a space program,they where even being thier own space ships and they have them there but the did not launch. http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=371758 [/QB][/QUOTE]
Instant Graemlins
Instant UBB Code™
What is UBB Code™?
Options
Disable Graemlins in this post.
*** Click here to review this topic. ***
Contact Us
|
EgyptSearch!
(c) 2015 EgyptSearch.com
Powered by UBB.classic™ 6.7.3