For example, our SSBF documents that, in 2003, almost 47 percent of small businesses used personal credit cards in the conduct of their business. At that time, most of this use appeared to have been for convenience rather than for longer-term borrowing.
On balance the Bank has increased its gross gold and foreign exchange reserves from $ billion at the end of 2003 to just below $ billion at present. Conclusion Despite some progress made in recent years, high levels of unemployment necessitate more ambitious steps to strengthen South Africa's growth potential.