Regional Business Confidence as Early Indicator of Regional Economic Growth

Official sub-national GDP figures in South Africa are usually published with long delays or not at all, i.e. relevant, reliable, and real-time economic data on a provincial local (municipal) level often non-existent, causing significant asymmetry the level. The search for an ‘optimal’ proxy regional growth focuses possible use of business confidence. This article, therefore, investigates confidence indices (RBCI) as early indicator rate (RGDP). To this end, study employed panel cointegration methodology techniques to interrogate association between growth, focusing three specific regions KwaZulu-Natal, Africa. results suggest that utilisation indicators indeed has merit. Constraints experienced indicate direction further studies may follow, especially concerning scope period cross-sections. research, addresses fundamental gap Africa, while also setting benchmark other researchers follow.