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The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry says business confidence remained fragile and in decline last month.
The Business Confidence Index sank from 93 in February 2013 to 90.4 in March -- its lowest level since April 2000.
In March, the BCI was 5.3 points below the March 2012 level, and 2.6 points lower than in February 2013.
Sacci CEO, Neren Rau says the monthly decline was largely caused by the indicators of deteriorating inflation, the rand exchange rate, share prices, and precious metal prices.