Economy

We are forecasting some acceleration in real GDP growth to 5.9% in 2008, from 5.4% and 5.0% in 2007 and 2006 respectively. Past 2008, we see real GDP growth peaking at 6.1% in 2009,... 2008-07-28

BMI View: Our core scenario is for a 50 basis point interest rate hike in October to 13.00% from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) as we believe that the SARB - with CPIX growth... 2008-07-28

BMI View: We have revised upward our end-08 exchange rate target to MGA1,450.00/US$ from a previous MGA1,550.00/US$. We expect inflows of foreign direct investment into the mining... 2008-07-28

With metal prices having been elevated over H108, we are forecasting a rise in export proceeds to US$4.0bn, up from US$3.8bn in 2007. Thereafter we expect prices to fall, and correspondingly... 2008-07-28

We see economic growth remaining robust through 2012 as the value of Lesotho's textile, water, power and mining exports continue to increase. We see real GDP growth moving up to 5.0%... 2008-07-28

BMI View: We believe real GDP growth will come in at 17.0% in 2008, driven by the twin engines of oil exports and infrastructure. Thereafter, economic expansion will slow to 13.4%... 2008-07-28

In the absence of any properly compiled data, central bank officials have suggested that the present inflation rate is 2,200,000%, but independent commentators say it is more like... 2008-07-22

BMI View: We have made a number of adjustments to our forecasts, most notably with reference to economic growth, the exchange rate and the external current account. None of these,... 2008-07-22

BMI View: The domestic banking sector has expanded robustly, but its traditional engine of growth, lending to richer households, is losing steam. Future asset growth will need to... 2008-07-22

Food and drink inflation came in at 16.5% y-o-y in April, having accelerated by 1.6% m-o-m. While global agricultural prices have started to come off their recent highs, a combination... 2008-06-26