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- Janet Wilhelm
Comparative perspective on BRICS economies: Trade potential and limitations
In 2010, South Africa joined the BRICS bloc: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. BRICS is an association of regional powers across four continents, originating from an informal alliance in trade negotiations. So far, members have signed agreements among others on customs, energy efficiency, and tax. They have also set up a joint development bank, designed principally to finance infrastructure.
This paper provides background on the BRICS economies to deepen understanding of the bloc’s potential and limitations. To that end, it first reviews the main trends in the member economies. It then analyses their production structure. A more detailed section on trade relations within the bloc follows, with a focus on trade between South Africa and the other members. A final section lists major recent intra-BRICS investment projects.
The analysis does not include the new BRICS members (Saudia Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran and Ethiopia) that joined the group on Monday 1 January 2024.
Michael Hector
Michael Hector holds a PhD in Political Science from Stellenbosch University, where his research focussed on the green economy and environmental governance in South Africa. Specifically, his thesis studied the use of ecological modernisation and market mechanisms (and the implementation thereof) in South Africa’s environmental and waste management policies. Following his Phd, Michael did a short post-doc at Stellenbosch University (Department of Political Science), while lecturing Global Political Economy and Foreign Policy.
Transition to electric vehicles
More electricians and fewer pump attendants – here's how EVs will shake up SA's job market - News24 11 February 2024
NAACAM outlines NEV opportunities for local component manufacturers - NAACAM News
- Gaylor Montmasson-Clair (TIPS) - Overview on the Electric Vehicles White Paper- Insights from Industry
- Renai Moothilal (NAACAM) - Insights from Industry
- Alex Mashilo (Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, Wits) - Insights from Labour
- Lesego Moshikaro-Amani (TIPS) - Presenting on the Skills Paper
- Chintan Daftardar and Avinash Dubedi (WRI) - India Case Study
to discuss important issues and share ideas on industrial policy.
NEVA MAKGETLA: SA in Brics is more commodity dependent
Business Day - 30 January 2024 by Neva Makgetla (TIPS Senior Economist)
Collaboration essential for South African exporters to overcome EU carbon border tax
Engineering News - 29 January 2024 by Marleny Arnoldi
Global Perspectives on the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
This Working Paper offers an overview of how governments in the Global South are responding to the EU CBAM, in contrast to responses from developed nations. It examines the background and essential measures of CBAM in relation to the reactions of major transnational groupings and the effects of CBAM on primary trading partners. Furthermore, it aims to analyse the differences in responses and approaches to the EU CBAM from African countries, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations, and developing countries such as the United States (US), Japan, the United Kingdom (UK)
and Canada.
Energy transition offers once-in-century potential for South Africa to reindustrialise
Mining Weekly - 25 January 2024 by Schalk Burger
TIPS Imports localisation and supply chain disruption study - Second Quarter 2023
The Import Localisation and Supply Chain Disruption study is a quarterly report that seeks to identify goods from the list of imports identified in the Import Tracker report that South Africa could possibly viably manufacture. Each quarter focuses on five manufactured items from the list of imports in the corresponding quarter's Import Tracker report. The five products in this report are:
Strong showing by South Africa’s Hillside helps to lift South32 to record aluminium output
Mining Weekly - 22 January 2024 by Martin Creamer
Josephilda Hlope
Josephilda Hlope works at the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. She is currently Outcome Facilitator responsible for Social Protection and Social Cohesion and leads engagement on the G20 Development Working Group. She served as Chief Policy Analyst in the Advisory Services Directorate Economic in the Presidency from 2008 to 2010, and was a member of the National Planning Commission Secretariat for the NDP in the Presidency from 2010 to 2014. As part of her career, she has developed evidence-based policies and programmes, streamlined monitoring and evaluation processes, and implemented innovative national development strategies. She has authored papers and participated in summits on policy analysis, policy design, and programme implementation throughout her career. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science (Economics and Statistics) from the University of Swaziland, Eswatini, a Master of Arts in Population and Development (Development Economics) from Institute of Social Science: Erasmus University, The Hague Netherlands, and an M.B.A. in Business Administration from Henley Business School: University of Reading, United Kingdom.