| dc.description.abstract |
For most Southern African countries, the year 2000 was a period of continued economic growth. However, negative growth rate recorded in Zimbabwe, which is estimated at 6 percent, greatly affected the average gross domestic product (GDP) of the sub-region. For the 11
countries served by the Center, aggregate GDP grew by 3.3 per cent in 2000, as compared to 3.4 per cent in 1999.The generally improved performance in 2000 was mainly due to progressive implementation
of macroeconomic policies in the sub-region, strong business investment, particularly in transport and telecommunications, as well as favorable weather conditions. GDP rose at a sharply higher pace than in 1999 in some countries, including Angola, Mauritius, South
Africa and Zambia. In other countries, GDP growth rate was either maintained or increased only marginally compared co 1999. Only one country, Zimbabwe, recorded a negative growth rate.
Most countries that managed to achieve higher growth rates in 2000 also registered an increase in foreign direct investment (FDI), which injected additional resources to the national economy. Investors in the sub-region have been encouraged because of the deepening
of structural reforms and subsequent improvement in macroeconomic environment in most of the countries. This has coupled with improvements in governance and democracy as well as with the effective implementation of economic co-operation and integration agreements.
The negative growth rate recorded in Zimbabwe was due CO discontinued FDI inflows arising from political uncertainty after the occupation of farms in April 2000. |
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