Trade reform in Southern Africa: Vision 2014? - Softcover

Draper, Peter; Alves, Phillip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 192019620X ISBN 13: 9781920196202

Publisher: Jacana Media, 2009

Synopsis

This title comes at an important time in the development of Southern Africa's trade policy. Trade policy and trade performance are important elements in the region's growth and development strategies, but the future is becoming ever more uncertain. This is partly because regional trade policy is now almost entirely dictated by often-erratic trade negotiations processes: there is no clear unilateral thrust. Most agree that external influences in the form of economic partnership agreement (EPA) negotiations with the EU and the World Trade Organisation's floundering Doha Round have the potential to significantly alter the region's trade policy landscape, but few are willing to predict precisely how. Given South Africa's importance to its immediate subregion and the broader SADC region, it is incumbent upon all interested parties to better understand South Africa's shifting priorities and future policy thrusts, and what implications these might have for countries in the region. This title admirably delivers such insights in the trade policy field. Beginning with an authoritative overview of the political economy of trade and investment policy reform in developing countries since the 1980s, the title then delves into the South African experience post-1994, after which it analyses the potential implications for South Africa's customs union partners (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland) of South Africa's trade and industrial policy choices. The title analysis of South Africa's contemporary debates over whether or not the country can or should attempt to become a 'stronger' developmental state are of particular interest, as the ruling African National Congress remains committed to such a path, however ill defined. The book also provides a fascinating overview of South Africa's trade policy reform experience of the late 1990s, identifying the drivers of the process, the reforms undertaken and the consequent real economy impacts. It argues strongly in favour of a return

About this title

About the Author:

Peter Draper is a research fellow and project head of the development through trade program at the South African Institute for International Affairs (SAIIA). He is also a board member and nonresident senior fellow of the Brussels-based European Centre for International Political Economy. Philip Alves is an economist at the development through trade program at SAIIA.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jacana Media
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 192019620X
• ISBN 13: 9781920196202
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 184