Ramaphosa expected to make key announcements - economist
Econometrix chief economist Dr Azar Jammine says the reopening of international travel will provide a timely boost to the economy and the struggling aviation sector.
President Cyril Rampahosa is set to address the nation on Wednesday evening amid intense speculation that the country will move down to level 1 of the lockdown.
This could see the country’s borders open up to international tourists.
Jammine believes Ramaphosa will provide some detail on the government’s economic recovery plans.
"There will be some key announcement made, we are likely to see the government moving from level 2 to level 1 and opening international borders to travel, tourism and business and that is likely to provide a further boost to the economy.
"We are also likely to hear the formal announcement of the government's infrastructural investment programme, government allowing private sector companies to generate their own electricity and sell it amongst themselves as a meant to alleviate electricity shortage.”
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He says the future of the country's aviation industry relies on the resumption of international travel.
"If international travel is not open we will end up not having an aviation sector and in a long term it will create a lot of damage to the economy also, the hospitality industry desperately need to get a shot in the arm or else it will be completely destroyed.
"The aviation sector is going to be permanently destroyed if we don't open now. It is essential to do so right now as we are coming to the summer season when tourism is going to be prolific and if we don't do it know it is going to be too late we would have missed on an opportunity to revive the sector.”
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Ramaphosa to address nation on Wednesday
The Presidency says Ramaphosa will address South Africans at 19:00. His address follows a meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) on Monday and a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday. An easing of the lockdown to level 1 would see a possible end to the curfew and a lifting of the restrictions on the sale of alcohol.
