The Business SA `Survey of South Australian Business Expectations' for the March quarter 2008 reported that South Australian business confidence declined during the quarter due to the high interest rate environment. Bank SA's February 2008 `State Monitor' also found that business and consumer confidence recorded a small decline in the September 2007 to February 2008 period, but remained at solid levels. Despite the general downward trend in business confidence expectations, the State's economic performance on a wide range of measures remains strong. In terms of new motor vehicle sales, retail turnover, exports, dwelling approvals and number of housing finance commitments for owner occupiers, SA's performance has exceeded that of Australia as a whole.
