The IJG Business Climate Monitor (BCM) stood at 52.5 points in August – a slight decline of 0.7 on the previous month. Signs of economic recovery remained mixed. Some 14 of the 31 indicators measured by the BCM improved while the remainder declined. On the positive side, livestock sales and cattle prices, building plans approved and completed, business credit extension and commercial vehicle sales were all up. But such positives were countered by lower diamond production, struggling gold and copper prices, a dip in passenger vehicle sales, and lower credit extension to individuals.
