Business Day - 10 November 2017 by Pippa Green and Murray Leibbrandt

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Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) in partnership the South African Research Chair in Industrial Development based at the University of Johannesburg and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and in association with the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), will be hosting its 2018 Annual Forum on 6-7 June 2018. The theme is Finance and Industrial Development.

Individuals wishing to contribute papers are invited to submit their title and abstracts of up to 500 words to Rozale Sewduth at TIPS via email to: dialogue@tips.org.za

To be considered, abstracts should be submitted by 31 January 2018; and 20-25 papers will be selected for development of final papers, which will then be presented at the conference in June 2018. Authors will be notified of the decision by early February 2018. Final papers are due for submission by 30 May 2018.

Abstract submissions should include full contact details of the authors.

The flight and accommodation costs of a maximum of 15 presenters will be covered by TIPS (only one presenter per paper will be covered). 

For more information about the Forum go to forum.tips.org.za

TIPS Annual Forum 2018 will be held on June 6-7 in Johannesburg. The theme is Finance and Industrial Development. People wishing to contribute papers are invited to submit their title and abstracts of up to 500 words. The closing date for submissions is 31 January 2018. For details on how to make a submission and the focus of the topics see Tips Forum 2018.

Business Day - 17 October 2017 by Neva Makgetla (TIPS Senior Economist)

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Business Day - 10 October 2017 by Neva Makgetla (TIPS Senior Economist)

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Business Day - 26 September 2017 by Neva Makgetla (TIPS Senior Economist)

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RESPONSE TO COLUMN

Letter in Business Day - 4 October 2017: Help start-up investors

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This TIPS Development Dialogue Colloquium was held in Pretoria on 24 October 2017. For more information and copies of the presentations go to Development Dialogue. 

AGENDA

Chairperson: Nitin Gunga (the dti)

9:00 - 9:15 Opening and Welcome: Eustace Mashimbye (CEO: Proudly South African)

9:15 - 11:30 Presentation and discussion of research findings

Retail and manufacturing: Andrew Mukandila (the dti)
Supplier development in the retail sector:  Dave Kaplan (UCT and TIPS Research Associate)

Tea break

Adverse Inclusion: Tracy Ledger (TIPS Research Associate)
The spread of supermarkets in the SADC region: Impact on competition and on suppliers: Reena das Nair (CCRED)

Chairperson: Saul Levin (TIPS)

11:30 - 12:30 Panel Discussion: Does South Africa need a retail sector charter or a code of good practice?

• Mike Morris
• Reena das Nair
• Tracy Ledger

Lunch: 12:30

BACKGROUND

Large general grocery retailers and supermarkets have greatly increased their market coverage in South Africa both spatially and in customer numbers over the past 20 years. Estimates are that they now control some 90% of all formal food sales, and more than 60% of total retail food sales. South African-owned supermarket chains have also grown exponentially in the rest of SADC.

Supermarkets are increasingly the gatekeepers between suppliers and end-use customers. They are often the only, or the most important, way in which suppliers, particularly smaller suppliers, can access customers. As more and more consumers purchase most or all of their food from supermarkets, so the supermarkets' power in the chain relative to other participants increases. The procurement practices of supermarkets therefore have a bearing on both small and large businesses, and can contribute or negatively impact on industrialisation efforts.

The colloquium will share research undertaken on the impact of supermarkets, their linkages to the manufacturing sector and supplier development as well as exploring the pros and cons of a code of conduct for the retail sector.

This edition of The Real Economy Bulletin reviews the state of small business in South Africa and its evolution over the past decade. It also looks at proposals around the definition of small business and regulatory obstacles and burdens arising from national legislation. To download a copy go The state of small business in South Africa.

Business Day - 12 September 2017 by Neva Makgetla (TIPS Senior Economist)

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RESPONSE TO COLUMN

Letter in Business Day - 3 August 2017: Solution to rural woes Hot money not to blame

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