Janet Wilhelm
FDI Tracker - Q2 2019
In the second quarter of 2019, 17 new projects were added to the FDI Tracker. Investment values were available for 11 of these projects, and the sum of these investments were R25.1 billion. A total of 5 376 jobs were recorded from five projects where employment data was available. Of this total, 676 related to permanent employment, while 4 700 jobs were of a temporary nature. There was one existing project updated in the Tracker this quarter.
Government more focused on reassuring lenders than helping workers
Business Day - 25 November 2019 by Neva Makgetla (TIPS Senior Economist)
Or read as a PDF.
This paper addresses which measures South Africa can implement to achieve and manage a meaningful and sustainable transformation of the country’s transport sector. Focussing on the passenger transport industry, it investigates the state of transport in South Africa and reviews existing measures undertaken towards transforming the sector using the improve and shift framework, followed by key recommendations for each aspect. The paper concludes that South Africa has the opportunity and capability to develop an effective, integrated and sustainable passenger transport system.
Treasury can do much more to analyse inequalities
Business Day - 11 November 2019 by Neva Makgetla (TIPS Senior Economist)
All is not green: Climate change adaptation and small business resilience in low- and middle-income countries
Climate change impacts are being felt in low- and middle-income countries at an ever-increasing pace. The high dependency on climate-sensitive sectors as well as high vulnerability to climate change raise the need for quick responses and action. These climate events wreak havoc, ripping apart the fabric of societies, economies, and lives. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are vital components of economies and particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
This paper explores three inter-related themes: the material risks that small businesses face, the state of adaptation in low- and middle-income countries, and potential recommendations on a way forward. It is part of a series of background papers commissioned by the Global Commission on Adaptation.
Green economy and South Africa's industrial policy
Background
South Africa, in line with global trends, aims to transition to an inclusive green economy. Industrial policy is core to this process, notably to ensure a ‘just transition’, consisting of maximising the benefits of the transition and minimising the risks associated with not transitioning; but done in line with South Africa’s capabilities to minimise the short-term trade-offs and threats. This requires a careful alignment of South Africa’s industrial policy with the inclusive green economy paradigm to support the country’s green industrial development.
In order to inform such a transformation, TIPS, within the framework of a UN Environment project financed by the EU, conducted a review of South Africa’s industrial policy from an inclusive green economy lens. It investigated the extent to which South Africa’s industrial policy is responding to, if not driving, the country’s transition to an inclusive green economy.
The workshop aims to share findings and recommendations from the research and gather insights from key stakeholders on their relevance and possible implementation. The review applies a methodology developed by UN Environment and looks at policy process, policy design and policy implementation with regards to the transition to green industrial development.
Programme
08h30 – 09h00: Registration and arrival
09h00 – 09h15: Opening and welcome, Department of environment Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) and Department of Trade and Industry (the dti)
09h15 – 09h30: Presentation of global trends on green industrial policy, UN Environment
09h30 – 10h00: Presentations of review findings, TIPS
10h00 – 11h45: Discussion
11h45 – 12h00: Closure
12h00: Lunch
RSVP: natasha@tips.org.za
Digital Forum 2020: Regional Industrial Development
Due to COVID-19 the format for the annual TIPS Forum will be changing. The TIPS Forum 2020 on Regional Industrial Development will be held as digital sessions, and in two parts:
Part 1
Day 1: 28 July 2020
10:00 – 10:15 Welcome
10:15 – 10:30 Keynote address
10:30 – 11:30 Session 1: Regional industrial development in the context of COVID-19
11:40 – 12:55 Session 2: Trade and reform in Africa
Day 2: 29 July 2020
10:00 - 11:15 Session 3: Inclusive industrial development
11:30 - 12:45 Session 4: Strengthening and building regional value chain
Part 2
Day 3: 4 August 2020
10:00 – 11:15 Session 5: Sustainable regional industrial development
11:30 - 12:45 Session 6: Low-carbon and inclusive industrial development
Day 4: 5 August 2020
10:00 - 11:15 Session 7: Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and industrial development, theory, policy and practice
11:30 - 12:45 Session 8: Trade, protectionism and technological upgrading
This decision has been taken by TIPS in consultation with our partners, the DST/NRF South African Research Chair in Industrial Development at the University of Johannesburg, the United Nations University for Development Economics Research programme on Southern Africa – Towards Inclusive Economic Development, and the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
We look forward to reaching a much broader audience through the digital platform, and hope you will be joining us.
The context for the conference
With renewed recognition on the importance of building industrial capacity in developing countries, as well as having industrial policy, industrial development across the SADC region has been identified as a central path towards accelerated and sustained economic development. In the context of the economic impact of COVID-19, what does a sustained regional industrialisation trajectory look like?
Collectively, the SADC region is relatively under-industrialised. In more than half of the member countries, the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP is less than 10 per cent and in some cases lower than 5 per cent. In only one of the 15 SADC Member States has the ratio of manufacturing value added to GDP risen above 20 percent.
The economic disparity between South Africa and its neighbouring countries in SADC is stark; South Africa’s GDP per capita is five to seven times that of the rest of SADC, which is unusually large for a regional centre. Understanding industrial development in the Southern African region therefore requires an approach that looks at the role of the lead economy and the opportunities for smaller economies to increase their productive capacity and exports to South Africa.
The aim of the conference is to deepen the understanding of a cross section of issues, and the related opportunities and challenges.
NOTE: If you already registered earlier for the physical 2020 Forum event, please re-register for the digital 2020 Forum event.
The Forum, due to be held in May in Johannesburg, has been postponed until later this year. The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic means we have to adapt the way we work, and it is not possible to hold a public forum at this time. A different format and approach is being considered should the rescheduled event need to be in a digital form.
Programme
Download programme or read online
Download press release or read online: Regional industrial development in SADC the central focus of high-level conference
Five principles to observe for a just climate transition
Business Day - 31 October 2019 by Gaylor Montmasson-Clair (TIPS senior economist)
Read online at Business Day.
Despite its lofty spot, SA must foster regional growth
Business Day - 28 October 2019 by Neva Makgetla (TIPS Senior Economist)
Read online at Business Day.
Or read as a PDF.
Skilled people should be encouraged to come to SA
Business Day - 14 October 2019 by Neva Makgetla (TIPS Senior Economist)
Read online at Business Day.
Or read as a PDF.
RESPONSE TO COLUMN
Letter in Business Day - 30 October 2019 by Dr Doug Blackmur (Flamingo Vlei)
Read online at Business Day.