Economic growth appears to have levelled off in the first three months of 2001, although activity has remained at a relatively high level. Still, the creation of employment opportunities for South Africa’s growing population remains the major challenge facing the country.
Our initial optimism that this health issue might be solved in just a few months is no longer realistic. Indeed, the World Health Organisation is now speaking of the crisis being over in two years. The economic impact has been severe and we are now looking at a more protracted economic shock than we initially conceived. Barbados is not alone in this regard.