- The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is the 15th largest stock exchange in the world in terms of market capitalization.
(Photo: Exchange Square, Sandton: home of the JSE Securities Exchange )
- South Africa has the 20th largest economy out of 230 countries in the world, according to GDP measured in US dollars purchasing power parity.
- The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is the 15th largest stock exchange in the world in terms of market capitalisation.
- South Africa’s banking sector and data security is rated as one of the top 10 in the world.
- Four of South Africa's banks rank among the world's top 500.
- South Africa’s biggest manufacturing sector is the automotive industry, which ranks the 19th largest in the world in terms of vehicle production, accounting for 0,7% of global and 80% of African production, and providing some 5,6% of gross GDP.
- The Mercedes Benz C-class, the BMW 3-series and VW Golf and Jetta vehicles, for all right-hand drive markets, are produced in South Africa.
- BMW’s Rosslyn plant was awarded the highly prestigious European Gold Plant Quality Award ranking it first among European plants in quality.
- Over 70% of the leather that is needed for the global production of all BMW cars is sourced from South Africa.
- In 2002, South African Breweries bought Miller Brewing from Phillip Morris to become SABMiller. It is now the world's second largest brewer behind Anheuser Busch, makers of Budweiser.
- Sasol was the world's first petroleum-from-coal refinery and provides 40% of South Africa's petrol. The company now competes globally in the energy industry.
- Sasol Mining was voted as the coal Company of the Year in 2002 by the Platts / Business Week Global Energy Awards. South Africa ranks 3 rd in the world with regards to social responsibility of business leaders.
- South Africa ranks 8th in the world with regards to employee training.
- South Africa’s protection of patent and copyright is ranked 8th in the world.
- South Africa produces more than 50% of the world's ferrochrome.
- South Africa has the world’s largest reserves of gold (35%), manganese (80%), chromium (68%), platinum-group metals (56%), vanadium (45%) and alumino-silicates (37%) and is the leading produces of these and many other metals.
- The biggest diamond ever found, the Cullinan Diamond, was found in South Africa. Its largest fragments today adorn Britain’s crown jewels.
- On development of human capital, the IMD International World Competitiveness Yearbook in 2003 rates South Africa 8th in employee training, 3rd with regard to females in the labour force and 3rd in terms of social investment of managers.
- The value of South African real estate improved by 30% over the past 5 years
- Over the past 5 years, Consumer Confidence in SA has improved by 43%
- South Africa’s road infrastructure quality is ranked 3 rd in the world.
- South Africa offers approximately 1700 conference venues that range from large city conference venues catering for up to 5000 delegates, to small-meeting venues at resorts.
- South Africa has a burgeoning yacht-building industry, with a standard of craftsmanship that is world-renowned.
- South Africa has the lowest cost of electricity in the world and generates two-thirds of Africa’s electricity.
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