From 1993 to 1999 both exports and imports rose strongly as international integration proceeded. Foreign direct investment flows into South Africa have picked up somewhat since the late 1980s and early 1990s, but have not reached healthy levels. Foreign direct investment into South Africa has averaged around 1 per cent of GDP per year since 1994.
Almost certainly, the planned privatisation over the next three years will help to boost this figure. While South Africa's depressed growth has become something of an overriding concern for many, we must not forget the sharp acceleration in growth recorded during the course of last year.