Janet Wilhelm
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.
Skew first-quarter GDP data needs straightening
Business Day - 30 September 2019 by Neva Makgetla (TIPS Senior Economist)
Or read as a PDF.
RESPONSE TO COLUMN
Stats SA's seasonal adjustment models are part of regular rebasing: Business Day - 3 October 2019 by Michale Manamela (Chief director of national accounts at Stats SA)
Read online at Business Day.
Developing a biomaterials industry in South Africa: Action plan and implementation strategy
Biomaterials – plastics and composite-like technologies derived from waste and plant matter – offer an opportunity to help reduce the environmental impact of traditional plastics, while safeguarding the economic contribution made by the plastics and chemicals industry. This report proposes an action plan and implementation strategy to further the development of the sector in South Africa. It aims to both reinforce existing initiatives, and offer suggestions for new approaches, with the goal of deepening the value chain and removing barriers. It takes a problem-solving approach, which involves identifying barriers and gaps in the market for biomaterials and identifying government policies that can fill these gaps.
The report is published by Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) – an initiative by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) – in partnership with the South African Government (the Department of Environmental Affairs, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Economic Development Department).
Import Tracker - Q2 2019
The trade balance grew in the second quarter of 2019. As at the end of the quarter, the trade surplus was R3 billion. Generally, the second quarter tends to reflect a trade surplus. With the exception of the second quarters between 2012 and 2014, there has been a second quarter trade surplus since 2010, the highest being R35 billion in the second quarter of 2016. Nevertheless, the year-on-year trade surplus declined by 85%, from R18 billion in the second quarter of 2018 to R3 billion. Further, both imports and exports grew year-on-year, with imports growing by 8%, compared to 2.8% for exports. Crude oil, diesel and automotive components remain the biggest drivers of imports.