Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) in partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand, United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) and the USAID Southern Africa Trade Hub Program, and in association with the Department of Trade and Industry, National Treasury and the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation will be hosting its annual Forum with the theme of Regional Industrialisation and Regional Integration

Johannesburg, South Africa 14-15 July 2015   

The conference aims to deepen understanding of regional industrialisation, the role of South Africa in that context, the value chains operating across the region, and the links between regional industrialisation and regional integration.  

Context for the conference

The new millennium saw a significant turnaround in Africa's growth prospects. During the period 2000 to 2010, Africa's economic output tripled, increasing from US$587 billion to US$1.7 trillion. Poverty rates have dropped over the last 20 years from 60 percent to 38 percent. Going forward, seven of the ten projected fastest growing economies in the world over the next five years are located in Africa. Sub-Sahara Africa is expected to grow at an average of 5.4 percent per annum over the next five years. Yet commodities and the commodity boom are still key to growth in Africa. While there has been a significant increase in the manufacturing sector, in almost all African economies it still remains relatively small.

The linkage between industrial productive capacity, economic growth and level of development is an important consideration especially for the SADC, as the region has low levels of industrialisation and ranks among the poorest in the world. Collectively, SADC is one of the least developed regions of the world in terms of industrialisation. In only one of the 15 Member States has the ratio of manufacturing value added to GDP risen above 20 percent. In more than half of member countries, the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP is less than 10 percent and in some cases lower than 5 percent. Furthermore, 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 the smaller economies to increase their productive capacity and exports to South Africa. To further the regional development agenda it is important to understand the development of key industrial sectors and how regional value chains work in those sectors.

Regional industrial development is tied into regional integration, which also covers market integration and infrastructure development. Regional integration can been seen as a useful tool towards stimulating economic development, supporting integration into the broader world economy as well as encouraging trade and securing economies of scale among the participating countries. In spite of the tariff liberalisation in Africa and all the advances in forming regional trade areas, however, there seems to be very little growth in intra-African trade, particularly in the Southern African region.

See Annual Forum papers

TIPS is pleased to announce a workshop on

Green Economy: Principles and Practices

Pretoria 4 – 5 March 2015

Have you ever wondered:

What is a green economy?

Why is a green economy necessary?

What are the intellectual origins of the concept of green economy?

How is green economy related to sustainable development?

How does green economy differ from traditional production and consumption patterns?

What opportunities and risks are presented by green economy prescriptions?

How can my institution benefit from the opportunities presented by the green transition?

How can South African development be bolstered by green economy principles?

This two-day interactive training on the green economy covers both the theoretical concepts and principles related to the green economy, and unpacks the practical experiences and lessons about transitioning to a green economy, with a particular focus on South Africa and other developing countries.

Participants will learn about different concepts and facets of the green economy, as well as global, national and sector-specific challenges. The course considers the opportunities to advance to low-carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive development. Additionally, participants will develop the skills for applying the green economy concept in a real world economic, policy and/or personal context.

Methodology

The training approach is adapted to professionals in full-time work. Participants are provided with the opportunity to learn through various experiences: absorb (read); do (activity); interact (socialise); and reflect (relate to one's own reality). Over the two intensive days of the course, participants will engage with a range of learning activities and experiences.

Participants will enjoy stimulating and innovative lectures, multimedia learning tools, lively and interactive discussions and experience sharing sessions, concrete examples and case studies from industry experts and guest speakers and practical self-assessment exercises.

Based on TIPS's extensive knowledge and experience on the green economy in South Africa, international research and best practice, and guest speakers, the course brings a rich and diverse offering covering both theoretical and analytical frameworks as well as case study and industry knowledge to complement a holistic view on the green economy. This unique offering brings together a wealth of knowledge on green economy principles and practices, and makes this accessible to participants in a relevant and meaningful way.   

After completing the training, participants will be able to:

• Define the concepts around a green economy, such as sustainable development, decoupling, inclusive green growth, green jobs, etc. and explain their value
• Identify enabling conditions for the transition to a green economy at different levels (national, regional, local and entity)
• Identify principal challenges and opportunities for greening key economic sectors
• Describe and understand the planning processes in support of a green transformation
• Recognise international and regional initiatives and support services to foster green development
• Apply the green economy concept to a real world economic, policy and/or personal context
• Understand the tools, mechanisms and indicators to monitor and evaluate the transition to a green economy

Who should attend the course?

The course targets groups and individuals that are interested in obtaining an analytical and practical understanding about the green economy concept and latest developments. At both management and implementation levels, this course is relevant to individuals who would like to better understand the green economy and acquire a working knowledge of the key concepts in the green economy.   

They include:

• Civil servants in national Ministries, provincial departments, local authorities and state-owned entities
• Diplomats from Permanent Missions and Ministries of Foreign Affairs
• Environmental managers, public affairs officers in private sector and civil society organisations
• Consultants, academics, researchers and students 

Registration

The training takes places over two days at the TIPS offices in Pretoria. Cost includes training material, a certificate of attendance, snack and lunch over the two days. Safe and secure parking is available to participants. 

Full cost of the course is R6 000 per participant, payable before 13 February 2015.

To secure your place, contact Natasha at natasha@tips.org.za or 012 443 9340.

Early Bird Bookings: Book and pay before 30 January 2015, and receive a 10% discount

Download brochure: TIPS Training Workshop Green Economy 

TIPS is pleased to announce a workshop on

Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Modelling

Pretoria from 13 – 17 April 2015

CGE modelling is one of a number of approaches to economy-wide analysis that have become accessible and practicable as data and computer based techniques have developed. An increasing number of economists use this framework to analyse real world issues that were previously approached through less comprehensive partial equilibrium methods. As part of their commitment to ensuring that Southern Africa benefits from these development, TIPS has (co)presented a series of related short workshops over the past fifteen years. The current workshop is part of this on-going programme.

The workshop is designed specifically for people who need to use the results of economy-wide models to inform their analysis of real world issues. It will integrate theory, real world data, hands-on computer work and real-world applications. In particular, participants will be

• introduced to the micro, macro and trade theories that underlie typical CGE models;
• provided with an overview and practical examples of Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs) and of parameter and elasticity estimation methods which typically provide the data on which CGEs are built;
• taken through various applications with special emphasis on the economic interpretation of results;
• exposed to issues involved in using models for specific applications such as the analysis of trade, public finance, regulation and environmental economics.

The models have been set-up to run through an Excel interface, with the specialised modelling language (GAMS) running in the background. This is designed to keep the focus on the economics rather than the technicalities of modelling. The applications use models developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and are adapted by the workshop instructors to suit the Excel interface for a range of southern African economies. Participants will apply what they learn to a group mini-project which will be presented at the end of the workshop.

The workshop is targeted at those who need to understand the potential and limitations of the use of these approaches without themselves becoming modellers. As such it should appeal to policy makers and analysts in both the public and the private sectors, to students and to academics. The workshop will also provide a foundation for those who wish to become modellers by taking future workshops on actual modelling techniques.

No previous exposure to CGE modelling is required, although it will be an advantage if participants be familiar with SAMs and have a very good understanding of Excel.

Workshop leaders are Dirk Ernst van Seventer and Rob Davies.

Workshop fees (which includes teas, coffees and lunches): R12,500 for SA resident participants, R12,500 for African participants and those from other developing countries, and R17,500 for other participants.

Note that TIPS will not make refunds after the payment due date unless the workshop is cancelled. TIPS's invoice documentation (tax clearance, bank clearance, etc) will only be sent on request by registered post. It is therefore important to make sure that TIPS is on your organisation's list of preferred suppliers and to factor-in sufficient time for these processes.

Registration closing date is Friday 13 February 2015. Seats will be reserved until the payment closing date of 13 March 2015.The offering of the workshop is dependent on attracting a minimum number of 15 students by the time of the payment closing date while the maximum number of students is 20. Note that TIPS will not make refunds after the payment due date unless the workshop is cancelled. TIPS' invoice documentation (tax clearance, bank clearance, etc) will only be sent on request by registered post. It is therefore important to make sure that TIPS is on your organisation's list of preferred suppliers and to factor-in sufficient time for these processes.

If you are interested in attending this workshop please complete the attached application form and send to:

Dirk Ernst van Seventer: denves@xtra.co.nz

or

Rob Davies: robdavieszim@gmail.com

Sandy Lowitt holds a Master of Commerce from Wits University in Economics. She established the Economics Department in the Gauteng Provincial Government in 1995 and remained at GPG until 2006. While specialising in economic research and industrial policy and strategy she also created and ran Blue IQ which delivered large infrastructure projects such as the Gautrain, the Innovation hub and the automotive supplier park. Sandy is active in public policy research and strategy development working for the Presidency, the dti, DST and National Treasury.

Gillian Chigumira joined TIPS in 2014. She has a Masters in Commerce – Development Theory and Policy. She has an Honours in Commerce, an Honours in International Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Anthropology from the University of the Witwatersrand. Gillian has more than eight-and-a half years of experience as an economist, policy advisor and strategy analyst in the field of industrial development and inclusive economic growth for South Africa and the greater SADC Region. Her work fundamentally targets research and policy development for government departments, regional and international organisations. Her expertise cuts across national masterplans for industry, sectors, and individual product analysis in agricultural and agro-processing related value chains and the broader manufacturing sector. Gillian has recently worked on South Africa's Masterplans such as the Water and Sanitation Industrialisation Masterplan; Sugar Value Chain Masterplan; the Poultry and the Plastics Industry Masterplan for Growth Global Outlook. She has also worked on multiple agricultural value chain studies on agro-processing machinery, dairy, aquaculture, abalone, essential oils, soybeans, fruits and vegetables, cassava, industrial starches, hemp, and confectionery.

Before TIPS, Gillian worked at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and Rethink Africa. She is also a Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Scholar | Mellon Mays Fellow | Canon Collins Scholar and attended summer school at Emory University, Bowdoin College, and Bryn Mawr in the United States.

Gillian is also a member and Certified Business Advisor with the Institute of Business Advisors of Southern Africa (Reg. M5358).

The presentation will explore the viability of shale gas in South Africa from an economic lens. By focusing on issues such as geology, decline rates and breakeven costs of wells and exploring the relationship between gas prices and cash-flows, the presentation will seek to answer the core question of whether a shale revolution would occur in South Africa. In doing so, it will explore questions around the longevity of a shale revolution, the price at which shale gas is commercially viable, and the economic lessons from the US shale revolution.  Finally, it will look at the outstanding research questions pertaining to economic and investment issues related to shale gas. 

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Saliem Fakir is the Head of the Living Planet Unit at the World Wildlife Fund South Africa. The Unit's work is focused on identifying ways to manage a transition to a low-carbon economy. Saliem has previously served as senior lecturer at the Department of Public Administration and Planning and Associate Director for the Center for Renewable and Sustainable Energy at the University of Stellenbosch, where he taught a course on renewable energy policy and financing of renewable energy projects.

He has also previously worked for Lereko Energy (Pty) Ltd (2006), an investment company focusing on project development and financial arrangements for renewable energy, biofuels, waste and water sectors. He also served as Director of the World Conservation Union South Africa (IUCN-SA) office for eight years (1998-2005). Prior to the IUCN he was the Manager for the Natural Resources and Management Unit at the Land and Agriculture Policy Center.

Saliem served on a number of Boards. Between, 2002-2005, he served as a chair of the Board of the National Botanical Institute. He also served on the board of the Fair Trade in Tourism Initiative, and was a member of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Global Reporting Initiative, based in Amsterdam. He currently serves on Boards of GreenCape, Fair-Trade Label South Africa, Center for Renewable and Energy Studies, and Center for Environmental Rights.

He is a regular columnist for the South African Center for Civil Society and Engineering News.

Saliem received a Senior Executive Management course at Harvard University in 2000, a Master's in Environmental Science from Wye College, London, and a B.Sc. with honours in molecular biology from WITS.

TIPS recently completed a study investigating the impact of the controversial Eskom electricity supply agreement with Aluminium mining conglomerate BHP Billiton using a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) methodology to assess the costs and benefits to society of cancelling the special pricing agreement (SPA) that Eskom has with BHP Billiton. The CBA considered the following scenarios (i) Continuing with the current electricity arrangement (ii) Removing the electricity subsidy permitted to the BHP aluminium smelters and allowing the electricity price they pay to adjust to megaflex rates, and (iii) Comparing scenarios (i) and (ii).

The focus of this Development Dialogue will be to present the quantitative aspects of this research. The Development Dialogue calls for an interesting discussion as this is a hotly debated issue in South Africa at the moment, with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) having received a request from Eskom in 2012 to investigate its contract with BHP.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Dinga Fatman has a Masters degree in Economics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He joined TIPS in 2011 to provide research assistance in the industrial policy pillar. His Masters dissertation topic was entitled: “Labour Regulations and Firm Performance in South Africa”. Dinga's general research interests involve South Africa's investment climate issues and advanced econometrics.

TIPS recently completed a study investigating how South Africa can improve the strategic use of its technical infrastructure (which include SABS, NMISA, SANAS, and NRCS) in a way that maximises enforcement by creating linkages with other measures such as import controls, consumer protection and customs and administrative procedures in order to grow the local manufacturing sector and facilitate manufacturing exports.

This Development Dialogue presents an overview detailing the importance of technical regulations in protecting local manufacturers and consumers, but also looking at how globally these regulations can/are being used as a form of protection.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Mbofholowo Tsedu is an Assistant Programme Manager for the Industrial Development pillar at TIPS primarily focused on trade and industrial policy issues. Mbofholowo has been engaged in numerous industrial policy-related studies including on designation, local content reporting, sector strategies and localisation. He also has been responsible for providing supplementary research support to TIPS's other pillars. Mbofholowo has an economics degree from the University of Pretoria and is currently completing a MSc programme focused on Industrialisation, Trade and Economic Policy at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.