TIPS on behalf of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition invites interested service providers to submit proposals to conduct research on the feasibility of the promotion of the use of timber in construction. feasibility study will inform the development of a strategy that enhance the use of timber in house and building constructions. The project will be carried out over 18 months. Closing date for proposal: 10 October 2022 at 16h00. Proposals should be sent to TIPS for the attention of Daphney Mabuza daphney@tips.org.za. Click for more information. Download ToR here.

Ywyg - 18 September 2022 by Jackie May

Read online at Twyg

Business Day - 3 September 2022 - Editorial

Read online at Business Day

Or read as a PDF

Engineering News - 12 September 2022 by Marleny Arnoldi 

Read online at Engineering News

Business Day - 12 September 2022 by Neva Makgetla (TIPS Senior Economist)

Read online at Business Day

Or read as a PDF

South Africa’s trade surplus declined for the third consecutive term to R61.4 billion in the first quarter of 2022, representing the lowest trade surplus since mineral prices began to rise in 2020 largely as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Imports, which declined to their lowest level since the early 2000s, have continued their upward trajectory, from R266 billion in the second quarter of 2020 (at the peak of the COVID-related lockdown) to about R397 billion in the first quarter of 2022. This is higher than pre-pandemic levels, exceeded only by the R401 billion reported in the third quarter of 2013. Moreover, this represents 20% growth compared to the first quarter of 2021. Exports remain at historic levels, although they declined from R475 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021 to R458 billion in the first quarter of 2022. In contrast to imports, which show significant year-on-year growth, exports increased by just 6% in the year to the first quarter of 2022. Still, the R458 billion represents the highest reported first quarter exports (in constant 2022 Rand) reported by South Africa thus far. 

Updated October 2022

Main Bulletin: The Real Economy Bulletin - Second Quarter 2022

In this edition

GDP growth: The GDP shrank by 0.7% in the second quarter of 2022, mostly due to large-scale loadshedding, the floods in May in KwaZulu-Natal, and flat government spending. Value added fell in all of the real economy sectors, with agriculture the hardest hit. Manufacturing contracted by just under 6%. Construction remained depressed, apparently mostly due to stagnant investment by state-owned companies. Tourism continues to lag far behind pre-pandemic levels. Read More

Employment: According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), in the second quarter of 2022 the formal sector still employed 600 000 fewer people than before the pandemic, or 5.5% less. Informal and agricultural employment, in contrast, were down by only 1%, but there were still more than 10% fewer domestic workers. Manufacturing employment appeared to have stabilised at a lower level than before the pandemic, with employment particularly depressed in metals and food processing compared to 2019. Read More

International trade: South Africa’s surplus in goods trade has continued to narrow as prices for export commodities have declined, with logistics challenges affecting coal and auto, while the cost of petroleum remains comparatively high. Read More

Investment: Private investment has begun to grow again, although public investment remains flat. As a result, the investment rate climbed from 13% in the second quarter of 2021 to 14% a year later. Meanwhile, the average return on assets improved for most of the economy in the year to March 2022. Read More

Foreign direct investment projects: The TIPS Foreign Direct Investment Tracker monitors FDI projects on a quarterly basis, using published investment information. Seven of the 11 projects recorded this quarter reported on the value of the investment, for a total of R10.6 billion. Eight projects that were previously captured in the Tracker have been updated. Read More

Briefing Note: Global commodity prices and the South African economy:  Commodity prices have soared to the highest level in two decades due to supply constraints driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. South Africa's major export prices have risen in tandem.Read the Briefing Note online: Global commodity prices and the South African economy

Briefing Note: Progress on the Sugar Master Plan: It has been almost four years since the relaunch of industrial policy to focus on stand-alone industry master plans. This briefing note tracks the progress of the sugar plan, signed by stakeholders in November 2020, using published information. Read the Briefing Note online: Progress on the Sugar Master Plan

Seutame Maimele is an Economist: Sustainable Growth at Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS). His work focuses on global climate change policies and trade, designing climate compatible value chains for carbon-intensive industries for South Africa and Africa. He also works extensively on the just transition in South Africa. He holds a Master's degree in Local Economic Development from the University of Johannesburg. Prior to joining TIPS, Seutame worked at the Western Cape Government (WCG) and for OneWorld Sustainable Investment (OneWorld). At WCG, he supported the drafting of the economic recovery plan for the Western Cape Province post COVID-19, as well as drafting the 2020-2025 economic strategic plan of the Western Cape Government. He was involved in analysing the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the Western Cape and reviewing Western Cape Municipal Plans and strategies (LED strategies and IDPs). At OneWorld, he supported the delivery of climate change and just transition projects.

The sixteenth edition of APORDE took place in Pretoria (South Africa) in September 2022. The programme included five public seminars, both in person and online, including the Annual Alice Amsden Memorial Lecture. See https://www.aporde.co.za/.