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Past Projects

Trade and Industry

Industrial policy forms the core of TIPS’s work. In this context, TIPS supports the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), the Departmenet of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and several other departments and stakeholders with targeted studies to support policy development for industrial and trade policy as well as manufacturing growth.

TIPS undertakes research, among others, into national and regional sectors, value chains and clusters; the impact of state and private institutions on manufacturing  growth and diversification; the barriers to entry to small and medium enterprise in manufacturing; the extent and nature of innovation; and the impact of manufacturing on broader economic growth and development, income distribution and job creation.

Trade research has also been an important research area of TIPS since its establishment.  TIPS has looked at many different aspects of international trade, including country studies, trade policy, export development and the relationship between trade and industrial policy. 

See research archive

  • Year 2015
Potential of the citrus, table grape and subtropical fruit sectors and Opportunities for strategic interventions in support of agro-industrial production Given the high levels of unemployment in the rural areas of South Africa this research explored the citrus, table grape and subtropical fruit subsectors of agriculture to better understand the potential for them to contribute to export growth, transformation and employment creation. The research finds that certain categories of agriculture are more labour intensive, better suited to South Africa’s climate and have significant potential for export growth. The research also makes a case for agriculture’s central role in growth, transformation…

  • Year 2015
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.

  • Year 2015
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.

  • Year 2015
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.

  • Year 2015
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;…

  • Year 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.

  • Year 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)

  • Year 2015
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)

  • Year 2014
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)

  • Year 2014
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

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

  • Year 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.

  • Year 2013
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)

  • Year 2013
Review of the regulation in the ports, electricity supply industry and renewable industry – Project: Regulatory Entities Capacity Building: Review of Regulators Orientation and Performance Client: Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg Duration: 2013-2014 - to be completed by March 2014 Effective performance by economic regulators is important for growth and development. In recognition of the importance of their role, the Economic Development Department has commissioned the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development to undertake a research and capacity building project for economic regulators in South Africa. The Regulatory Entities Capacity Building Project involves a…

  • Year 2012
Project: Benefits of AGOA to South Africa Client: Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) Duration: 2012-2013 TIPS assisted the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) to carry out a study into the benefits that have accrued to South Africa as a result of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The research is intended to inform the South African government’s position on AGOA as the 13-year old piece of US legislation enters the last two years of its existing phase. Initially set to expire in 2008, AGOA was extended to 2015 allowing Sub-Saharan African beneficiary countries, including South Africa, to…

  • Year 2012
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).

  • Year 2010
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.

  • Year 2009
The Southern African Development Research Network (SADRN) was a broad-based policy and research network which aimed to increase the supply of policy-relevant research in the region and strengthen evidence-based policy-making. SADRN focused on two main themes: industrial policy and sector development at the regional level; trade policy and its linkages to pro-poor growth. The objectives of the Network were to: Increase the supply of policy-relevant research in the SADC region by creating a pool of suitably-skilled researchers based in institutions in SADC Improve the policy-relevance of research through growing the capacity of policy-makers to be discerning research 'users' Develop an…

  • Year 2007
The primary objectives of the Centre for Real Economy Study (Crest) were to catalyse economic research with a sectoral focus, especially relatively under-researched service sectors, and to improve the flow of information on relevant research between the policy and academic communities. See all research

  • Year 2004
The South Africa Trade and Poverty Programme (SATPP) provides assistance in a wide range of activities to help South Africa formulate, negotiate and implement pro-poor trade policies. It provides assistance to the private sector and civil society, as well as to government through stake-holder seminars, research and studies, assistance with institutional development within the dti, and capacity-building in a range of trade policy-related areas.

  • Year 2003
The Provincial Economic Intelligence Unit's (PEIU's) objectives are to develop sub-national economic analysis capacity so as to inform Provincial Growth and Development Strategy processes. Western Cape Province Western Cape Provincial Treasury Provincial Economic Review & Outlook 2006 The Western Cape Provincial Treasury publishes an annual Provincial Economic Review and Outlook to deepen the economic analytical platform that informs the Province's annual budget decisions. In line with the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy, the 2006 PER&O stresses the importance of defining the desired form of growth that Government seeks to stimulate, and builds a deeper understanding of what shared growth and…

  • Year 2002
Under the Small Enterprise Development (SED) programme, TIPS conducted a number of broad-ranging, qualitative assessments of the outcomes of government's policy, strategy and initiatives in small enterprise development. See all research

  • Year 1998
The SADC Trade Development Project was a partnership between the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), aimed at supporting trade reform in the region. The project centered on trade liberalisation research projects, including developing research infrastructure by creating a SADC trade database, templates to assist trade analysis and a list of trade data sources and links; commissioning research publications on regional trade to inform policy; performance reviews of regional trade, an impact analysis of service sector liberalisation in the SADC, and trade information briefs to help SADC producers.  See all research

  • Year 1997
See all research