South Africa: Crime, Inflation Batter Business Confidence

This reminds me of one of those video games where you have to build an empire/city/economy while keeping an eye on all sorts of threats, usually including disease and crime:

CONFIDENCE in SA's economy is under mounting pressure, with an uncertain economic outlook and concerns about crime darkening the mood of both business and economists. A business confidence index has slipped to its lowest level this year, while a survey of economists also shows that confidence has fallen -- to an 18-month low.

The South African Chamber of Business (Sacob) business confidence index fell to 97,7 last month, down from 99 in August. Rising inflation and tighter monetary policy, as well as events playing themselves out on the current account, have negatively affected business confidence and, if left unchecked, could have an adverse effect on the business mood in coming months. High crime levels were also negatively affecting business confidence, Sacob said.

If we could get HIV under control in Africa, then I believe that South Africa could experience explosive growth over the course of the next decade. They have a developed infrastructure, cheap natural resources, and cheap labor.

Link: South Africa: Crime, Inflation Batter Business Confidence