In its efforts to craft a new economic growth path and assist small businesses, South Africa could do well to look to emerging economies such as Brazil and India, which have attracted much attention in their recent efforts to create greater and more equitable economic growth. The aim of this…

Call for Research Proposal Proposals for research projects are hereby solicited from African researchers on subject areas in line with the WTO mandates and objectives. In particular, for the 2011 Edition, we welcome proposals addressing, but not limited to the following themes: * Trade issues in energy, natural resources, and…

What if unemployed people in South Africa had a right – a real right – to a minimum level of regular work on decent terms? In 2005, India passed a law guaranteeing rural households up to 100 days of work a year, at minimum wage rates. Over 55 million households…

Jennifer Widner is Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and Director of the Mamdouha S. Bobst Center for International Peace Justice at Princeton University. Before joining Princeton in 2004, she was Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan and…

What if unemployed people in South Africa had a right – a real right – to a minimum level of regular work on decent terms? In 2005, India passed a law guaranteeing rural households up to 100 days of work per annum, at minimum wage rates. Over 55 million households…

The discussion will draw on information gathered on a face to face basis by Stephen Timm from entrepreneurs and government agencies in Brazil, India and South Africa in 2010. The discussion will focus on the following issues: How can business support, a culture of entrepreneurship, market support (set-asides) and finance…

In 2011 TIPS will be holding a workshop combining both levels of modelling, i.e., Economy-Wide Policy Impact Analysis and CGE modelling. The workshop will be structured so that participants can select whether to attend the whole event, to complete only that part dealing with Economy-Wide Policy Impact Analysis or, if…

DTI in conjunction with Wits is soon to be launching this programme which is of interest for capacity building of staff in the areas of industrial policy and economic development. Please could you circulate to relevant staff. Applications must be submitted to Hellen Mogoshao no later than Friday 11 March.…

The Masters of Science in Social Protection Financing is designed to enhance national capacities of managers and financial specialists responsible for the financial planning and management of social protection schemes, including cash transfers and social insurance programmes, as well as personnel working in government ministries in charge of social protection…

Dr Lederman will present his recent research piece prepared with William F. Maloney, Lead Economist from the Development Economics Research Group of the World Bank.  Dr Maloney has published extensively on issues related to international trade and finance, informality, developing country labour markets, innovation and growth. Dr Lederman will be…

International Carbon Action Partnership are running a summer school and have called for applications to attend. This is an excellent opportunity for policy makers in developing (and developed) countries who want to know about the practical steps in implementing Emissions Trading Schemes. It takes place in July and the deadline…

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is an independent, non-profit, economic research institution based in Pretoria, South Africa. It was established in 1996 to support economic policy development, with an emphasis on industrial policy, in South Africa and the region.

TIPS has two main areas of work: trade and inclusive industrial policy; and sustainable development.

TIPS’s main objectives are to undertake in-depth economic analyses, especially at the industrial level; to provide quality research as the basis for improving industrial policy as well as broad economic development strategies; and to support an increasingly dynamic and evidence-based discourse on industrial policy and inclusive growth with academics, other researchers and stakeholders.

TIPS offers high-quality quantitative and qualitative research, project management, dialogue facilitation, capacity building a knowledge sharing. TIPS undertakes commissioned research, as well as policy papers and think pieces around industrial policy and economic development.

TIPS has more than 20 full-time staff members and works with a network of expert researchers and institution partners across South Africa and the world. Its activities are overseen by a Board of Directors comprising individuals involved in high-level policy formulation in South Africa. TIPS also has a Members Group that includes policymakers and researchers from across South Africa, which provides intellectual guidance and support for the organisation.

TIPS is committed to the growth a development of future economic researchers and operates a substantial intern and young economist development programme in-house.

Globalisation is often cited as the dominant international economic trend stimulating the opening of the world economy. Many developing nations have significantly reduced their tariffs, opened their services sectors, and embraced foreign investment either unilaterally, or in bilateral trade agreements. Similarly, many rich nations including BRICs have had favourable experiences…

In 2005, India introduced the world's first employment guarantee, creating new meaning for the concept of a right to work. This is achieved through the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, established through an act of parliament (NREGA), which gives every rural household the right to demand 100 days of employment…

The five-day programme will encompass participants' paper presentations, guest lectures, professional development roundtables and social events. Participants also have the opportunity to apply their insights and skills in a practitioner day with the International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) in Geneva. Application To allow in-depth discussions the oikos…

Climate and trade issues lie at the intersection of two of the world's most contested, delayed and important multilateral negotiations. Climate change under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and international trade as regulated by the World Trade Organization (WTO). This paper is a…

Call for papers: TRAPCA is therefore calling for papers addressing the following themes for the Trade policy Forum 2011. 1) The Turn towards Regional and Bilateral Agreements This session will track the trend towards regional and bilateral trade agreements and seek to account for their rise and consider its implications…

In the face of a long-standing unemployment crisis that increasingly threatens social and economic stability, employment has at last taken centre stage in South African policy, and with this, focus is shifting to the structural constraints on employment creation within the economy. The New Growth Path, approved by Cabinet in…

David Kaplan is currently Professor of Business Government Relations and Professor of Economics at the University of Cape Town. He has worked extensively on industrial policy. From 200 – 2003 he was chief economist of the Department of Trade and Industry; From 2004 -2011 he worked part time as chief economist for the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, in the Western Cape Provincial Government. His work on innovation includes being the coordinator of the task team that produced the Green Paper on Science and Technology (S&T), December 1996; engaging in the White Paper on S&T, June 1996; panel member…