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Do free trade agreements create trade for South Africa?
- Year 2006
- Author(s) Merle Holden;Landon McMillan
- Countries and Regions South Africa
Trade at a glance
- Year 2006
- Organisation TIPS
- Author(s) Mmatlou Kalaba
- Countries and Regions South Africa
EU tactics over African trade are 'bribery', say aid groups
The Guardian - 8 december 2006
The European Union is insisting that some of Africa's poorest countries accept liberalisation of services, investment and competition policy as the price of better access to the world's richest market, it emerged last night.
Under proposals being discussed in Brussels today, the European commission will say that unless the developing nations accept changes in sectors deemed too sensitive to be included in global trade talks, they will be denied better market access for their exports.
South Africa: SA 'Facing a Critical Year' Over World Trade Talks
Business Day - 5 January 2007
The trade and industry department says this will be a critical year for SA's trade negotiations in the international arena, marking out the country's parameters in international trade relations.
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies said yesterday these parameters would be determined by the outcome of talks on three trade treaties.
This involves the possible revival of the collapsed Doha round of World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks; the further economic integration of the Southern African Development Community (SADC); and the economic partnership talks between the European Union (EU) and several southern African states.
Make or break time for poor at trade talks
The Observer
In November 2001, leading politicians from the world's most powerful countries decided that allowing poor nations access to northern hemisphere markets was the best way to stamp out the root causes of militant anti-Western feeling.
Launched in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist atrocities, the Doha trade round was the chosen device. Poverty alleviation through profit was always seen as the key plank of the international development agenda - more important even than increased aid and debt write-offs.
Regional Integration in Southern Africa: Volume 1 - South Africa's International Trade Diplomacy
- Year 2006
- Organisation TIPS ; SAIIA
- Author(s) Mmatlou Kalaba; Peter Draper; Philip Alves
- Countries and Regions Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Southern Africa Trade Database: 2005 Data
16 February 2007
2005 Trade data for a number of countries have been uploaded for various Member States on the Southern African Trade Development website.
Think before "just doing it"
Business Day - 18 October 2005
SOME commentators believe that countries should…just do it - when it comes to unilateral trade liberalisation. It is argued, perhaps correctly, that the World Trade Organisation negotiations have become too complex, with too many players, for significant liberalisation to occur through this…multilateral-process. The answer, apparently, is unilateral tariff reductions. The assumption behind this is that free trade will simply lead to higher growth. If only things were that simple.
Government Lifelines Could Save Failing Factories - But At What Long-Term Cost?
Business Day - 5 May 2005
Commentators say government should provide financial assistance where there is a crisis that may have significant economic and social consequences, and where temporary aid can provide breathing space for a turnaround that will set a company on a sustainable path.
Industrialists told not to rely on tariff protection
Business Report - 31 March 2005
In two recent research papers posted on the website of Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies, a local think-tank with close ties to the government, the researchers focused on the debate about whether government had cut import tariffs too quickly, harming major industries such as clothing and textiles
Aussie Minister Urges Lower Trade Barriers
Business Day - 8 February 2008
AUSTRALIA's Deputy Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Bruce Billson urged developing countries yesterday to make substantial reductions in their trade barriers to encourage economic growth and trade among themselves.
Small business: Keep it Loose or We'll Lose it
Financial Mail - 10 December 2004
The overall numbers of small businesses and entrepreneurs in SA are growing strongly but there are marked differences between the formal and informal sectors. Informal entrepreneurship is booming - it grew 11% from 2002 to 2003 - but formal sector small business has stagnated and even shrunk slightly (0,5%) over the same period (see table). By far the most informal enterprises were initiated by African women, whose participation in the formal sector simultaneously regressed. These are the findings of the "Annual review of small business 2003", a report commissioned by the department of trade & industry and conducted by policy think-tank Trade & Industry Policy Strategies (Tips).
Why SA's Small Businesses Stay That Way
Business Day - 11 January 2005
THERE is growing concern about stagnating growth in the numbers of small businesses, it emerged in the latest review of the sector by the trade and industry department. Government's policy for the small business sector has come under fire from entrepreneurs and small business practitioners, who say it is not doing enough to boost the sector's contribution to economic growth.
See attachment
A Central Vision for Growth
Financial Mail - 22 October 2004
The World Bank's new chief economist for Africa, John Page, says Africa needs a political deal to foster economic growth. He spoke to Carol Paton at the Tips/Development Policy Research Unit's annual forum in Cape Town.
Call to put rusting' East Rand back to work
Business Day - 11 May 2004
GOVERNMENT should step in to halt the deterioration of Gauteng's East Rand, which has been reduced from "SA's workshop" into "SA's rust belt"
No need to panic' as share of world trade shrinks
Business Day - 3 May 2003
Tisa says local manufacturing industry has continued to grow, while reliance on gold and diamonds has halved Trade and Industry Correspondent TRADE and Investment SA (Tisa) a government agency responsible for promoting investment and export development...
Capturing the elusive animal of the economy
Business Day - 3 May 2004
Data on the small business sector remains varied, leading to confusion and ignorance over its role...