Manufacturing confidence holds steady amid persisting headwinds – Absa

Confidence levels among local manufacturers held steady at 28 points during the third quarter, driven mainly by their optimism regarding policy direction after a peaceful election and the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), the Absa Manufacturing Survey for the third quarter shows. Prior to the elections, manufacturers highlighted the political climate as a key constraint to current activities, but this indicator improved by a substantial 21 points in the third-quarter survey results, thereby aligning with levels last experienced more than a decade ago, the financial services firm highlighted.