I would like to express our deep appreciation to those volunteers who have devoted their time and talents to this very worthwhile venture. Thanks also to our service providers who have helped get the programme off to a successful start. We saw the programme as an opportunity for good corporate citizenship and much of that has been forthcoming.
Over this period, 2003 to 2008, the terms of trade increased by 7.1 percent. A steady flow of saving from non-residents into rand-denominated assets contributed to cheap financing and with a stronger currency made possible the importation of considerable capital equipment, a less costly infrastructure build programme, and improved welfare for households as imported consumer goods became less costly.