The primary objectives of the Centre for Real Economy Study (Crest) are to catalyse economic research with a sectoral focus, especially relatively under-researched service sectors, and to improve the flow of information on relevant research between the policy and academic communities. The Provincial Economic Intelligence Unit’s (PEIU’s) objectives are to develop sub-national economic analysis capacity so as to inform Provincial Growth and Development Strategy processes. The SADC Trade Development Project is a three-year partnership between AusAID and TIPS created to conduct a number of research projects on trade reform in Southern Africa. The project aims to develop research infrastructure in the region by creating new databases, formulate policy- and private sector-relevant information tools and publications to inform policy, and build capacity in the region. The Trade & Industry Monitor’s main objective is to disseminate policy-relevant economic research, from macroeconomic policy to competition and regulation policy, ‘development’ issues in general, as well as sub-national economic policy issues, in an accessible format to policy-makers and analysts. The Academic Data Access and Training facility (ADAT) seeks to reinvigorate the relationship between TIPS and the economics departments of tertiary institutions. The ADAT facility will provide post-graduate students with access to new economic data not readily available to Universities as well as provide Small Research Grants to researchers undertaking policy-oriented studies in TIPS’ programme areas. The Southern African Development Research Network is a broad-based policy and research network which aims to increase the supply of policy-relevant research in the region and strengthen evidence-based policy-making. SADRN will initially focus on industrial policy and sector development at the regional level, service sector development and the impact on poverty, and trade policy and its linkages to pro-poor growth. Under the Small Enterprise Development (SED) programme, TIPS as an independent, credible institution not directly involved in the delivery of SMME services has since 2004 undertaken a number of broad-ranging, qualitative assessments of the outcomes of government's policy, strategy and initiatives in small enterprise development. The purpose of this project is to contribute to reducing poverty and inequality in South Africa by supporting the government to develop a Strategy for the Second Economy, as part of its Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (Asgi-SA), located in the Presidency. Economic Regulation
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Southern Africa Development Research Network Launch Workshop

Date(s): 2007-08-30
Venue: The Innovation Hub, Pretoria, South Africa (a map to the Innovation Hub is available here)
Contact: Acting SADRN Co-ordinator Mmatlou Kalaba ( mmatlou@tips.org.za) or Amanda Ryland ( amanda@tips.org.za). Alternatively, please phone TIPS on +27 12 431 7900 or fax: +27 12 431 7910.
TIPS is pleased to announce the launch of a new development-focused research network funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

SADRN’s broad objectives are to:

  • Increase the supply of policy-relevant research in the SADC region by creating a pool of suitably-skilled researchers based in institutions in SADC,
  • Improve the policy-relevance of research through growing the capacity of policy-makers to be discerning research ‘users’.
  • Develop an appreciation for evidence-based policy making by engaging policy-makers in the design, specification, implementation and review of research projects.
  • Build institutional capacity in key organisations in SADC via the creation of ‘centres of excellence’ in focused thematic areas of research.  

We propose that the Network operate with two founding principles underlying its activities.

First, SADRN should add to the existing body of knowledge and resources available to SADC countries. In other words, there must be additionality built into Network so that the limited research supply available is not simply diverted from another donor project to the Network.

Secondly, the Network must be based on the development of ‘local’ policy and research capacity. This is important not only from a political-economy perspective but is crucial if the Network is to be sustainable in the long term.

In order to obtain the views of key stakeholders in both the research and policy communities TIPS is hosting a launch workshop where these issues will be debated in detail. The workshop will also start the process of focusing the research and support activities of SADRN at a thematic level.

Further information may be obtained from the acting SADRN Co-ordinator Mmatlou Kalaba (mmatlou@tips.org.za) or from Amanda Ryland (amanda@tips.org.za). Alternatively, please phone TIPS on +27 12 431 7900 or fax: +27 12 431 7910.

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Indigenous growth TIPS
Physical address: 826 Government Avenue Arcadia 0083
Pretoria South Africa
Tel: +27 12 431 7900
Fax: 012 431 7910