February data from Stats SA fuels speculation that central bank might increase repo rate again in June

The National Treasury announced it has borrowed $250 million on the international bond markets through the re-opening of its existing seven-year Republic of South Africa 9.125% bond.

THE WEEK AHEADRand's fall will continue to exert pressure on consumer prices

Economists generally forecast rise of 150 basis points to 200 as part of inflation-targeting exercise

Stats SA says changes to the weight of goods of services in CPI basket has not affected the outcome

Analyst suggests state buy-back programme may be less aggressive than expected

Some economists think the move is Mboweni asserting his independence

The Budget and Property Implications: Compuspace – 21 Feb 2002

For the property sector in South Africa, the 2002 Budget contains a range of proposals that offer both direct and indirect benefits. Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, in a Budget Speech expected to be well-received, stuck to key themes of housing, service delivery, urban renewal and across-the-board personal tax relief.

The 2002 budget contained only 2 direct impacts on the property sector in SA but contained several indirect positive implications for a sector that has lost much of its

Several economists agree that an interest rate hike will still be necessary later in the year, despite several positive announcements in the Budget speech.