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Still in the tunnel: Is there light?

Coming up: Manufacturing grew as a sector in the second quarter. The sector’s expansion is keenly desired by government as it will deliver greater job creation, economic diversification and export-led growth, which are all national priorities PIC: BWPRESIDENCY FACEBOOK
Coming up: Manufacturing grew as a sector in the second quarter. The sector’s expansion is keenly desired by government as it will deliver greater job creation, economic diversification and export-led growth, which are all national priorities PIC: BWPRESIDENCY FACEBOOK

The latest GDP figures show the economy’s slowdown improved somewhat in the second quarter, after a tough first quarter. Besides mining, all other sectors enjoyed positive growth and to an extent, limited the damage. MBONGENI MGUNI speaks to an expert on the subject

Those who enjoy numbers will turn over every digit of the recently released Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the second quarter, analysing the trends, making projections and forming opinions.

The figures were eagerly anticipated as the country is in the midst of a protracted downturn of its primary economic commodity – diamonds. The International Monetary Fund now expects the economy to grow by just one percent this year, while the Finance Ministry is due to reduce its original projection of 4.2 percent growth this year when it releases its Budget Strategy Paper this month.

Editor's Comment
Our digital safety is in our hands

That sounds like good news. But the report also warns that this may simply be because our digital economy is still young, not because we are safe. As more people shop, bank and pay online, criminals will follow.We Batswana do not need a report to tell us that danger is real. Many of us have heard of or fallen victim to KYC scams. A caller impersonates your bank or mobile money provider. They say they need to “verify” your account. They ask...

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