How fuel prices will affect consumers and business

Posted on: May 3, 2012 by admin

The recent increase in fuel prices worldwide has left consumers outraged, as the higher prices have come at a time when taxation is increasing on top of everything else.

 

In South Africa, the increase has been said to be to cover costs that include maintenance of infrastructure, RDP housing and the new e-Toll system in Gauteng. However, apart from the impact on the direct fuel price, many other industries are also affected by the price changes, which in turn trickle down back to consumers in the form of higher prices across the board.

 

For instance, every commercial industry in the country that relies on any form of transportation find themselves having to increase their prices in order to maintain their profits. Farmers that use transport companies have to pay extra to get their produce into cities. Security companies that use vehicles to...

FAQ: Can any business become a member of the Chamber?

Posted on: April 3, 2012 by admin

Let  the President explain it to you:   

Emerging markets stocks down on US, China growth fears

Posted on: March 29, 2012 by admin

Renewed worries over US and Chinese growth hit emerging assets on Thursday, with equities falling to the lowest in almost two months, but central bank action supported the Turkish lira at three-week highs against the dollar.   Emerging equities on the MSCI index fell for the second day in a row, losing 0.9% after data highlighted that while the US economy is slowly improving, it is not building up much momentum.   Sentiment was also hit by heavy losses on Chinese stocks, which closed at 10-week lows after disappointing company results suggested the slowdown in the world’s No 2 economy is hurting profitability more than expected.   China comprises almost a fifth of the emerging index.   “Markets are very concerned about the trajectory of the Chinese slowdown,” said Manik Narain, emerging markets strategist at UBS.   “In the United States, markets are grappling with lower chances of more policy easing while growth isn’t picking up to the extent that...

How to start a business: The Entrepreneur

Posted on: March 22, 2012 by admin

Starting a business is much more work than just what the nuts and bolts entail. Apart from the business side of it, such as the registering of names, funding, employment, contracts and asset purchases, the most important step is the initial process of planning. The main reason for planning a business idea being so important is that, in this day and age, we find ourselves living in an incredibly competitive world where small businesses have a very slim chance of surviving for more than two years. Proper planning, brainstorming and research will help give you the edge in whatever field you are planning on starting your business.   Once you have decided to start a business, spend some time researching the market. Finding possible gaps in the market that you could tap into, or identifying as yet untouched markets will give you a step up over competitors as these smaller or unseen...

how to register a business in South Africa

Posted on: March 8, 2012 by admin

If you’re planning on starting your own business, no matter what size or shape, there are always things that need to be considered; such as your own strengths and weaknesses, your considered business type (one of the most important steps may be noting and understanding the differences and limitations to each), and ultimately understanding the processes involved in the registration of your chosen business model.

SACCI: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 4th Quarter 2011

Posted on: February 29, 2012 by admin

      SACCI                                                                     “The voice of business”   Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 4th Quarter 2011   Seasonally adjusted real GDP at market prices for the fourth quarter of 2011 up 3.2% Real annual GDP in 2011 up by 3.1 per cent   The seasonally adjusted real GDP at market prices for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by an annualised rate of 3.2 per cent compared with an increase of 1.7 per cent (revised from an increase of 1,4 per cent) during the third quarter of 2011. Real annual GDP increased by 3.1 per cent in 2011 compared to 2.9% in 2010. The main contributors[*] to the increase in GDP the fourth quarter of 2011 were: ·         wholesale, retail and motor trade, (0.7%) ·         catering and accommodation industry (0.7...

How to write a business plan

Posted on: February 21, 2012 by admin

Starting a business in any facet of business requires endless hours of planning, drafting and re-drafting business plans and creating new ideas with which to implement them. However, formulating a good business plan is a vital step in starting a business, as it may help gain sponsorships or loans from banks and financial service providers.   Having a good business plan will also help when adding your business to networks such as your local Chamber of Commerce. These chambers, like the Roodepoort Chamber of Commerce help entrepreneurs and business owners create wider business to business networks. ROCCI is one of the biggest commerce chambers in the area, and because of its focus in one of the centres of Johannesburg, is a prime choice for providing tips for businesses in Roodepoort. For information on how to join the ROCCI network, visit the website or send an e-mail to rocci@rocci.org   The following is an article...

Press Club: No censorship

Posted on: February 14, 2012 by admin

“The bill in its current form is clearly open to abuse. It provides for wide-ranging powers, relating to the classification (of information),” said Abramjee.

SACCI REFLECTS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS 2012

Posted on: February 10, 2012 by admin

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) welcomes the tangible benchmarks that were a feature of the President’s State of the Nation Address.

Rand firms against US dollar

Posted on: February 9, 2012 by admin

The rand was firmer against the dollar in early morning trade on Wednesday.