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1944
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BER founded as an economic research institute attached to the University of Stellenbosch.
Prof CGW Schumann was appointed as the first BER Director and along with one researcher
and part time assistance from lecturers and students, its work started.
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1948
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First publication “Industrial and Commercial Share price.indices in South Africa,”
by C.G.W. Schumann and A.E. Scheurkogel. The culmination of a project in which price
indices for shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange were noted and compiled.
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1950
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Second publication: “Economic Fluctuations in South Africa 1910 – 1949,” by J.C.
du Plessis.
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1953
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Research regarding the possibility of conducting a quarterly opinion survey of business
conditions in the trade and manufacturing sectors commenced.
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1954
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The first business surveys were conducted amongst manufacturers and retailers.
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1956
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“A survey of post-war economic conditions in the Union of South Africa” is published.
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1966
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Publication of the first medium-term forecast.
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1969
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Building contractors and sub-contractors were added to the survey panel and a Building
Cost Index was started.
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1973
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Prof Jan Sadie appointed as Director.
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1975
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Consumer Survey launched in South Africa. Refinement of the retail, wholesale and
motor trade surveys.
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1980
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The BER develops its first annual model.
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1981
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The first quarterly model is estimated.
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1983
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Prof Attie De Vries appointed as Director. An econometric model of the South African
economy was developed to generate macro-economic forecasts.
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1985
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Dr Ockie Stuart appointed as Director.
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1986
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Architects and quantity surveyors were added to the survey panel.
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1988
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The BER hosts its first conference in Cape Town.
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1997
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Civil engineers added to the survey panel.
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1998
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Prof Ben Smit appointed as Director.
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1999
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BER establishes itself as a full-scale economic consultancy business/service. The
first Purchasing Managers Survey was launched in South Africa.
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2000
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The Inflation expectation survey launched in South Africa.
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2002
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A retail and investment bank survey was launched. The BER wins the prestigious Reuters
Economist of the year award
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2003
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BER conducts a survey to measure the impact of HIV/Aids on business in South Africa.
Asset managers and life insurers were added to round off the financial sector survey.
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2006
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The Economist Internship Programme for previously disadvantaged individuals commenced.
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2008
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A survey of building contractors and civil construction firms registered with the
Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) was launched.
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2009
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BER wins the Reuters Economist of the year award.
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2010
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BER awarded the Reuters Economist of the year award for the third time.
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