In the first quarter 2021, inventories once again had to be drawdown as there was a slow start to the year in manufacturing.

While the restriction on large gatherings is welcome, vaccines are needed urgently to stem the bleeding of the South African economy.

The summit focused on four areas – Covid response, economic development, energy security and water resilience.

Recovery is expected to continue albeit at a much slower pace, experts say.

Members said awareness about the alliance should be boosted in a period of increased economic and trade volatility.

A collapse in household and business income led to a surge in job losses and business closures.

South Africa had one of the earliest and most severe national lockdowns in the world.

Researchers from all over the world come to South Africa to work with these collections at the Iziko Museum.

Household consumption expenditure accounted for 61.7 per cent of the economy in the second quarter.

The NDB aims to provide up to US$10 billion in crisis-related assistance.