SACOB recently announced promising figures indicating that the business confidence in South Africa is on the up.

SACOB says: "A few domestic economic concerns still impact on business confidence although the business mood found more comfort in July 2007 than in June 2007. Matters like inflationary expectations, continued excessive private sector borrowing, growing import volumes, slow pace of manufacturing output growth, and rand volatility are of ongoing importance,".

This optimism is certainly reflected in our experience being in contact with entrepreneurs and small business owners around the country. People believe in what can be achieved and that with the right support, business ideas can quickly turn into business successes.

With two major small business events in the form of Small Business Week in Johannesburg and Cape Town happening later in August and early September we certainly look forward to sharing in more of your ideas and optimism.

Ben