SADC survey shows increased business confidence, but Aids hurting
A new survey shows that the business climate in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is improving, but there are also strong indications that HIV/Aids is taking a material toll on companies operating in the region.
The survey was taken from 541 companies operating in the manufacturing, primary and services sector, in the SADC region.
Speaking at the third results survey presentation held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Zambian Chamber of Commerce CEO Justin Chisulo said that it appeared that SADC was becoming more regionally integrated and that there was increasing optimism about the year ahead. However, Chisulo also acknowledged that Aids was an increasing challenge. In 2005, only 29% of respondents indicated that HIV/Aids had an impact on their business, compared to 40% in 2006.
But he said that thesurvey also found more companies were coming to terms with the impact of HIV/Aids. Some 58% of respondents had an HIV/Aids programme in place, while 65% recognised the pandemic’s impact on their organisations.
“There are a greater number of companies embarking on a HIIV/Aids workplace programme,” he stated, adding that as of 2005, HIV/Aids was included in the survey.
According to Malawian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Chancellor Kaferapanjira, increased HIV/Aids awareness had seen the infection rate decrease from 15% to 12%, in the last year, in Malawi. (from Engineering news on line)
The survey was taken from 541 companies operating in the manufacturing, primary and services sector, in the SADC region.
Speaking at the third results survey presentation held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Zambian Chamber of Commerce CEO Justin Chisulo said that it appeared that SADC was becoming more regionally integrated and that there was increasing optimism about the year ahead. However, Chisulo also acknowledged that Aids was an increasing challenge. In 2005, only 29% of respondents indicated that HIV/Aids had an impact on their business, compared to 40% in 2006.
But he said that thesurvey also found more companies were coming to terms with the impact of HIV/Aids. Some 58% of respondents had an HIV/Aids programme in place, while 65% recognised the pandemic’s impact on their organisations.
“There are a greater number of companies embarking on a HIIV/Aids workplace programme,” he stated, adding that as of 2005, HIV/Aids was included in the survey.
According to Malawian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Chancellor Kaferapanjira, increased HIV/Aids awareness had seen the infection rate decrease from 15% to 12%, in the last year, in Malawi. (from Engineering news on line)
posted by Dr Philippe Maslo at 13:41
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