11.   Unlike previous downturns, this one has been more abrupt, especially coming off a banner year last year.

12.   Consumers should not get too excited though, said Engel, noting that ticket price cuts are not as dramatic this year as in previous economic downturns.

13.   Furthermore, lessons need to be learnt from the previous economic downturn, and for the country to prepare itself once the economy recovers.

14.   Several participants warned that the cuts could prompt massive migration, as have previous economic downturns.

15.   Geoffrey Dicks, an economist at Royal Bank of Scotland, said that the outlook for unemployment was still better than it had been in previous economic downturns.