{"id":9938,"date":"2025-03-04T14:40:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T12:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/?p=9938"},"modified":"2025-04-09T14:51:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T12:51:06","slug":"positive-economic-shifts-highlighted-at-afrisam-annual-budget-breakdown-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/positive-economic-shifts-highlighted-at-afrisam-annual-budget-breakdown-event\/","title":{"rendered":"POSITIVE ECONOMIC SHIFTS HIGHLIGHTED AT AFRISAM ANNUAL BUDGET BREAKDOWN EVENT\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite ongoing challenges in the construction sector, South Africa\u2019s economic outlook is showing encouraging signs of improvement. This was one of the key messages at AfriSam\u2019s Annual Budget Breakdown event held in Johannesburg in February 2025, where Dr Azar Jammine, Econometrix Director and Chief Economist, highlighted a renewed sense of business confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a leading supplier of construction materials, AfriSam has long been at the forefront of industry developments, supporting infrastructure growth and economic progress. Speaking at the event, Dr Jammine noted that indicators such as the Bureau for Economic Research\u2019s Business Confidence Index and Absa\u2019s Purchasing Managers\u2019 Index reflected a marked improvement in sentiment over the past six months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe latest data shows increased optimism with businesses expecting better conditions ahead,\u201d he said. \u201cKey factors include reduced load shedding and a government more open to private sector collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr Jammine attributed part of this shift to Eskom\u2019s recent leadership changes which have prioritised skills and expertise as well as the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) which is fostering greater oversight and reducing corruption. He also pointed to stronger cooperation between government and business as an essential step in revitalising economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-02.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"615\" data-id=\"9940\" src=\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-02-1024x615.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9940\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-02-1024x615.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-02-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-02-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-02-1536x922.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-02-2048x1230.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-04.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"654\" data-id=\"9942\" src=\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-04-1024x654.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9942\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-04-1024x654.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-04-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-04-768x490.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-04-1536x980.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-04-2048x1307.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, significant challenges remain particularly in the construction sector. Structural constraints, such as inefficiencies in logistics and the continued decline in investment, continue to weigh on economic growth. Gross fixed capital formation \u2013 a key driver of demand for cement and other construction materials \u2013 remains well below international benchmarks. This has had a direct impact on infrastructure projects and commercial developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite these concerns, AfriSam remains committed to supporting the industry. AfriSam Executive Chairman Eric Diack said that AfriSam has strategically positioned itself to weather industry fluctuations while safeguarding its expertise and operational capacity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe understand that maintaining a strong foundation of skills, experience and technical proficiency is critical to ensuring long term sustainability,\u201d he said. \u201cBy continuing to invest in our people, processes and infrastructure, AfriSam has remained resilient, ready to support the industry\u2019s growth as market conditions improve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-03.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"823\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"9941\" src=\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-03-823x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9941\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-03-823x1024.jpg 823w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-03-241x300.jpg 241w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-03-768x956.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-03-1234x1536.jpg 1234w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-03-1645x2048.jpg 1645w, https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AFRISAM-PIC-03.jpg 1928w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 823px) 100vw, 823px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This steadfast approach has allowed AfriSam to reinforce its role as a trusted partner in the construction sector, ensuring customers continue to receive high quality materials and reliable service. Diack added that AfriSam\u2019s commitment extends beyond its own operational stability, as the company also plays a proactive role in driving industry-wide progress.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe recognise the importance of collaboration in revitalising the sector and we continue to engage with stakeholders across the value chain to find solutions that benefit everyone,\u201d he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Political and economic analyst and strategist Frans Cronje also addressed the event, reinforcing the theme of resilience and collaboration. He highlighted strong public support for pragmatic governance, noting that the GNU aligns with the economic aspirations of South Africans across demographics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe majority of South Africans want policies that foster stability, growth and job creation,\u201d said Cronje. \u201cThis reflects a positive long term trajectory for the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AfriSam\u2019s Annual Budget Breakdown remains a key platform for industry insights reinforcing the company\u2019s role as a leader in South Africa\u2019s construction sector. With renewed optimism in the economic environment and a commitment to sustainable growth, AfriSam continues to support the development of vital infrastructure, helping to shape the country\u2019s future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite ongoing challenges in the construction sector, South Africa\u2019s economic outlook is showing encouraging signs of improvement. This was one of the key messages at AfriSam\u2019s Annual Budget Breakdown event held in Johannesburg in February 2025, where Dr Azar Jammine, Econometrix Director and Chief Economist, highlighted a renewed sense of business confidence. As a leading &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/positive-economic-shifts-highlighted-at-afrisam-annual-budget-breakdown-event\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">POSITIVE ECONOMIC SHIFTS HIGHLIGHTED AT AFRISAM ANNUAL BUDGET BREAKDOWN EVENT\u00a0<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9939,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[32],"class_list":["post-9938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-client-focus","tag-afrisam"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9938"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9943,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9938\/revisions\/9943"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9939"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}