Question NW598 to the Minister of Trade and Industry
10 March 2016 - NW598
Mulder, Dr PW to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry
(1)What were the total gold exports in (a) metric tons, (b) rand value and (c) dollar value in (i) 2011, (ii) 2012, (iii) 2013, (iv) 2014 and (v) 2015; (2) what were the causes of the (a) decrease an/or (b) increase in gold exports in each specified year; (3) (a) which five countries were the greatest importers of South African gold in each specified year and (b) what was the value of the gold exports to each of the top five importers of South African gold in (i) (aa) metric tons, (bb) rand value and (cc) dollar value and (ii) in each specified year; (4) (a) whether South Africa has shown a positive or negative nett export of gold in each specified year and (b) what was the major reason for the positive or negative nett export value?NW709E
Reply:
Information on exports of gold is classified and, as such is not reported on in terms of the South African Revenue Services (SARS) values and quantities, consequently it is also not reflected in the dti trade database. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) though does track information on gold, however it only measures change in ownership and not the physical movement of goods across borders, as general SARS reporting does. We have requested data from these authorities responsible for the management of data on exports of gold, namely, the South African Revenue Services, as well as the South African Reserve Bank in order to compile a response to these questions. We request two weeks extension for submission of response to these questions.