South Africa’s gross domestic product increased by 3.1 percent in the second quarter of 2019, Statistician General Risenga Maluleke has said.
Addressing reporters in Cape Town on Tuesday, Risenga highlighted several industries that had contributed positively to this growth – citing that the mining and quarrying industry increased by 14.4 percent and contributed 1.0 percentage point to the GDP growth.
“Increased production was reported for mining of iron ore, manganese ore, coal and other metal ores including platinum,” Risenga said.
Finance, real estate and business services increased by 4.1 oercent in the second quarter. Increased economic activity was reported for financial intermediation, real estate activities and business services, the senior official said.
The trade, catering and accommodation industry increased by 3.9 percent.
This was due to increased economic activity that was reported in all trade divisions except the food and beverages major group, Risenga said.
General government services increased by 3.4 percent, mainly attributed to an increase in employment.
In contrast, the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry and the construction industry decreased by 4.2 percent and 1.6 percent respectively, and each contributed -0.1 of a percentage point to GDP growth, he added.
The unadjusted real GDP at market prices for the first six months of 2019 increased by 0.4 percent compared with the first six months of 2018, the statistician said.
NM/as/APA