Asia has been an important export market for South Africa’s trade-induced industrialisation strategy, China being the country’s main trading partner in that region. This case study explores the potential of increasing trade with other Asian countries such as Indonesia, rather than focussing mainly on China. The case study details potential opportunities…

Industrial development and climate change mitigation have historically been opposed to each other. This is reflected in the industrial and climate change policy frameworks in South Africa. As a result of these two opposing frameworks and the disruptive and complex nature of the necessary transition to a low-carbon economy, the…

A global benchmarking of policy instruments for effective climate change mitigation demonstrates the need for a mix of policy measures. The optimal policy package is characterised by the complementarity of its policy components, and the recognition of context: the appropriateness of the mix of measures varies from country to country depending on unique…

PRESENTATION FOLLOWED BY A PANEL DISCUSSION Session 1: 9:30 – 11:15 Thomas Farole – World Bank Faizel Ismail – UCT and the dti Ben Turok – Institute for African Alternatives Tea Session 2: 11:30 – 12:30: Panel Discussion Background:  The concept of Global Value Chains (GVC) takes forward the idea that the activities that…

TIPS Newsletter October 2023

This newsletter includes the latest editions of The Real Economy Bulletin, details of the TIPS Annual Forum and APORDE programme, with links to recent research and videos from TIPS Development Dialogues held recently.

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TIPS Newsletter May 2023

This newsletter reports on some of our recent projects, including the latest editions of the REB State of Small Business and Provincial Review, the Black Intustrialists Case Studies, the Annual Forum and APORDE, with links to recent research and policy briefs.

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TIPS Newsletter December 2022

This newsletter reports on some of our recent projects, including the new Green Economy Bulletin, the Annual Forum and APORDE, with links to recent research and policy briefs.

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TIPS Newsletter April 2017

Projects covered in this issue include: 

• The Manufacturing Circle's new survey: the Manufacturing Composite Investment Tracker (MCIT),
• Details of the research support for the Department of Trade and Industry's agro-processing desk, and
• TIPS's input to the Fees Commission on the social, economic and financial implications of providing fee-free higher education and training.

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TIPS Newsletter November 2016

Projects covered in this issue include: 

• TIPS's work for the Steel Task Team,
• The green economy project for the Department of Trade and Industry, and 
•  A study on reducing the administrative burden for small business.

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TIPS Newsletter July 2016

Research covered in this issue: 

• The trade and investment relationship between South Africa and the United States.
• Research commissioned by WWF South African on climate change adaptation and agriculture in South Africa.
• TIPS's work for the Steel Task Team.

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TIPS Newsletter March 2016

Research covered in this issue: 

• Regional integration and regional value chains: this included research on South Africa's industrial policy and industrialisation as part of a SADC strategy on regional economic growth and integration.
• A paper for Nedlac on regional industrial development; and a look at three regional value chains: soya, infrastructure and capital equipment.
• Details of a study conducted to determine a baseline expenditure on Green R&D.

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TIPS Newsletter October 2015

Research covered in this issue:  

• Some key findings from the Manufacturing Circle's second quarter survey and bulletin.
• Findings from research on mining value chains and green growth in South Africa. 
• A study for the United Nations Development Programme on the impacts of social and economic inequality on economic development in South Africa, with an article, based on the study, published by City Press on Inequality is growth's enemy.

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TIPS Newsletter June 2015

Research covered in this issue:

• A study for the Department of Trade & Industry on how South Africa can improve the strategic use of its technical infrastructure to lock out substandard and unsafe products, and through this grow the local manufacture of high-standard, safe products for the domestic economy and for export.
• A review for Nedlac of the electricity planning process through an evaluation of South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan.
• A collaboration with the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation on a study on migrancy and mining in the North West Province in the context of the strikes on the platinum mines.

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TIPS Newsletter February 2015

Research covered in this issue:

• A look at the benefits for South Africa of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
• A study on the impact of electricity price increases on the energy usage practices and competitiveness of selected mining sector and smelting value chains in South Africa.

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The Mining Phakisa was a South African government initiative led by the Presidency based on a “quick, fast results” methodology developed initially in Malaysia that brings together all stakeholders in the industry into a “lab” with the aim of identifying constraints and developing a shared vision and growth strategy for the long-term development and transformation of the sector. TIPS provided research support for the Mining Phakisa. This involved providing support to the secretariat as well as undertaking and contracting research. Sixteen briefing notes and 11 research reports were prepared, including on the following topics: environmental effects; mining sector and municipalities;…

This research project looked at the potential for the development of the Nigerian automotive sector as part of their diversification away from oil. While many constraints exist there is potential, a history of domestic manufacturing and significant market size to grow their domestic industrial base through automotive production.

Since the launch of the APDP there has been significant changes to the global economy, which has impacted on the automotive sector as well as the production incentive. A review was undertaken to better understand how the incentive has been working, the growth in the automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the impact on the downstream producers.

This research project explored the intended outcomes of the 2007 National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) and assessed some of the progress (and unintended consequences) achieved in implementing the Industrial Policy Action Plan since 2008. (2015). See policy brief.

This research analysed the types of intellectual property and the impact by sector and type of enterprise on investment, production and employment. It looked at the legal and other obstacles to innovation in South Africa with a number of case studies, and also at policy options for tracking innovation and addressing legal and other blockages, especially for emerging enterprises.

TIPS, in partnership with CCRED at the University of Johannesburg, CSID at the University of the Witwatersrand, UNZA in Zambia and AIAS in Zimbabwe undertook a four country study looking at the soya, infrastructure and capital equipment value chains. (2014-2015)

This study looked at the strategic use of technical regulations enforcement and other supportive interventions in supporting consumer protection and quality manufacturing (2013-2014). See Policy Brief

A review of trade trends between South Africa and Indonesia and a road map to future bilateral relations. (2014)

TIPS undertook several sectors studies for the department of trade and industry (the dti) to assist with inputs into the Industrial Policy Action Plan. The sector studies look at a number of data points (i.e. trade, production, employment, etc) in these sectors, as well as market demand and industry dynamics.

TIPS assisted with undertaking background research for the National Export Strategy and the National Investment Promotion Strategy. The projects included research, surveys as well as stakeholder engagements and consultations. (2013)

TIPS undertook an evaluation of the DST’s Framework for Centres of Competence (CoC) in South Africa. The research looked at the importance of collaboration between the public sector, science council/universities and the private sector to encourage innovations and new technology. The research explored international experiences in the implementation of CoCs and undertook interviews to determine how it has been working in South Africa. (2015)

TIPS was commissioned to provide research on South Africa’s industrial policy and industrialisation as part of a SADC strategy on regional economic growth and regional integration (2015)

Tax revenue that governments generate from foreign investors is a crucial component of the income streams required to promote socio-economic growth and development. However because of Trade Mispricing there is no guarantee that foreign direct investment (FDI) and international trade will translate into tax revenues for the countries attracting them. In partnership with the Financial Intelligence Centre, TIPS has been involved in a research project that seeks to determine the extent of Trade Mispricing in South Africa.

TIPS partnered with the South African Competition Commission to initially establish the African Competition Forum capacity building programme in which 41 countries participate. (2012-2014).

TIPS was commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme to undertake a study on the impact of social and economic inequality development in South Africa. (2014). See research report