From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report. Our top stories this week: Acsa launches the OR Tambo Airport Management Centre; a look at South Africa's first Green Star certified building; and we speak to Caterpillar CEO Jim Owens.

Shannon de Ryhove:
Airports Company South Africa has officially launched the OR Tambo International's Airport Management Centre. Jacqueline Holman has the story.

Jacqui Holman:
The Airport Management Centre (AMC), which has been operational since May this year, has already resulted in an improvement of departure times and airport efficiency. OR Tambo International's director of operations Bongani Maseko explains the purpose of the centre.

OR Tambo International's director of operations Bongani Maseko

Jacqui Holman:
The idea was first developed and implemented at the Zurich International Airport in 2004. Zurich International Airport head of operation Andrea Baroni describes the three main elements of an AMC.

Zurich International Airport head of operation Andrea Baroni

Jacqui Holman:
The AMC is also aimed at readying the local aviation industry for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Bongani Maseko

Shannon de Ryhove:
South Africa has its very first Green star certified building, Christy van der Merwe was at the roof-wetting celebration of the office building.

Christy van der Merwe:
Located in the heart of Sandton, phase two of the Nedbank head office campus, which will be completed by May 2010, has been awarded a four-star design rating. The four star rating represents best practice under the green building council of South Africa's office version 1 rating tool. The team responsible for securing the rating, tell us about the project.

GLH & associates architects, Senior executive partner, Xavier Huyberechts

WSP Green by Design, Consultant, Marloes Reinink

Nedbank, Phase II project manager, Ken Reynolds

Shannon de Ryhove:
There is a 75% chance the world economy will emerge from the current recession, and see some growth going forward, even if small - this according to Caterpillar CEO Jim Owens. Irma Venter has the story.

Irma Venter:
Visiting South Africa from the US, Owens, an economist by training, says it is likely the world economy will recover going forward, even if growth will be relatively aenemic. He says any growth is likely to be lead by high infrastructure needs and urbanisation, particularly in emerging economies, such as India and China.

Caterpillar CEO Jim Owens

Irma Venter:
However, Owens, who also serves on US president Barack Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, highlights that the world ecnomy is not out of the woods yet, and that a 25% chance exists that the recession will deepen.

Jim Owens

Shannon de Ryhove:
And now for a sneak preview of this week's Engineering News magazine:

In our cover story, Public Works Minister Geoff Doidge says that he is confident that the target for 500 000 jobs set by President Jacob Zuma will be met by the end of the year.

We report the details of South Africa's cancellation of its A400M military air-lifter contract.

And, the first of two units of a R100-million 7-MW hydropower plant, near Bethlehem, has been launched.

And in Mining Weekly this week:

In our cover story, we report that illegal mining is now recognised as organised crime by South African courts.

We report that the Zimbabwe government has withdrawn the coal-mining concession it had awarded to Zimbabwe Power Company.

And, South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says there are no ‘immediate' plans to nationalise that country's mining industry.

Shannon de Ryhove:
That's Creamer Media's Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa's real economy.