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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Annual Small Business Review 2004 Provincial Profile: Mpumalanga

As part of the dti-commissioned Annual Review of Small Business in 2004, TIPS prepared a provincial focus on SMMEs for Mpumalanga.

Similar to other South African provinces with a high proportion of rural dwellers, the largest proportion of enterprises in Mpumalanga are informal rather than formal businesses (an estimated 15,000 formal businesses compared to 191,000 informal enterprises). Overall, the provincial government of Mpumalanga considers the SMME economy as ‘a vital part of the provincial economy’. Nevertheless, given the challenges faced in terms of SMME development, it has been described as ‘a marginalised sector of the regional economy, not contributing optimally to economic growth”.

The aim of this report is to provide a profile of the status and development trajectory of Mpumalanga’s SMME economy and to highlight select issues concerning the development challenges faced by sections of this economy. More specifically, this report presents the findings of 90 interviews which were conducted from September to November 2005 with a cross-section of SMME entrepreneurs in the manufacturing and tourism sectors.

For the full Annual Review of Small Business 2004, please visit www.tips.org.za/sed.
Download full publication [2.5 MB]

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