Introduction to Economy-Wide Policy Impact Analysis
TIPS Workshop: 14-17 September, 2010
Pretoria
Most economics curricula deal with macroeconomic tools for studying the economy as a whole and microeconomic tools for studying the behaviour of individual agents or markets. However, practical public and private sector economic analysts often need to focus on the industry/sector or meso level of economic activity. Key sector analysis, sectoral impact studies, partial and general equilibrium trade and industry analysis are frequently conducted in both the public and the private sector.
Input-Output (IO), Supply-Use Table (SUT) and social accounting matrix (SAM) analysis are often used as tools for such meso-level economic enquiry. Researchers use these tools to analyse the impact of policy-related and other changes on the economy. They can also be extended to address broader concerns, such as the impact of policy on the environment or on energy requirements. Economic modelling techniques that capture economy-wide impacts of policy changes are increasingly being used in academic, consulting, research and policy environments in Southern Africa and elsewhere.
To cater for the rising demand for these techniques, Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) started offering an introductory workshop in economy-wide policy impact analysis in 2001. We are pleased to announce that the tenth offering of this popular workshop will be held in Pretoria from 14-17 September, 2010.
The workshop is redesigned and deals primarily with SUT and SAM and is presented by academics and experts in the field of economy-wide policy modelling. Lectures are used to introduce the theory and to provide insight into the scope of research possible using the particular modelling technique. Each lecture is followed by hands-on exercises where the theory or model is applied to relevant policy issues using economic data from South Africa and other Southern African countries. Apart from imparting the practical skills needed to apply the theory, these exercises familiarise participants with key features of economies studied. Participants also present brief group projects using the modelling tools learnt during the workshop.
By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with sufficient theoretical and practical skills to engage in impact analysis. The workshop also provides a useful basis for process managers who have to digest such analysis, even though they may not undertake it themselves. It also provides a solid grounding for those who wish to enter into the field of computable general equilibrium (CGE) modelling. For these participants, a CGE modelling workshop will be offered at a later stage.
Workshop fees (including sandwich lunch): R7 000 (excluding VAT, US$1 250 for participants from Developed Countries). To ensure that the workshop is pitched at the correct level, we invite interested participants to send the completed form attached to denves@xtra.co.nz before 9 July 2009. Successful applicants will be notified and invoiced by 13 July, 2010. Payment will be due by 13 August, failing which reserved places will be offered to other applicants on a first come (receipt of payment), first served basis.
What former participants had to say about previous workshops:
"With the help of an input output table, we were able to get a better understanding of the backward and forward linkages in the local Tshwane (Pretoria) context. Keeping the need to create sustainable long-term jobs, we are working on developing the tool to identify BEE and SMME opportunities as well environmental assessment."
André Gouws
Manager: Policy and Information
City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
"The IO/SAM workshop is extremely useful for sectoral policy makers and analysts. It provides a working knowledge of how sectoral policy and project impact analysis can be modelled."
Nimrod Zalk
Deputy Director General: Industrial Policy
Enterprise and Industry Development Division Department of Trade and Industry
Department of Trade and Industry
“Input-output and SAM modelling are important tools in understanding the structure of the economy, and how certain economic events and/or policies would impact on the economy. These models are highly disaggregated and provide useful insights into the linkages between various industries and institutions within the South African context. The workshop also provides the foundations needed for more sophisticated modelling approaches such as CGE modelling.”
Marna Kearney
Former Director: Economy-wide Policy Modelling
Modelling and Forecasting Unit
National Treasury
Further information on registration, accommodation and required preparation can be obtained from the workshop conveners:
Dirk Ernst van Seventer - denves@xtra.co.nz
Rob Davies - rdavies@hsrc.ac.za