A country’s comparative advantage is not only dependent on factor endowments. History, random events (wars, oil crises, sanctions, etc.) and past government policies are important factors shaping a country’s trade patterns. Such factors are…
This paper explores the natural synergies between industrial cluster formation and the identification of realistic export opportunities (REOs), using the TRADE-DSM for a resource-dependent region, the North West Province of South Africa. The…
Southern Africa critically depends on increased exports to drive economic growth and job creation. Logistical inefficiencies, however, are hampering exports, with cross-border freight delays adding costs and unpredictability to the supply chain,…
This paper examines how changes at the intensive margin (established exporters exporting existing products to established markets) and the extensive margin (new exporters, products or markets) contribute to South Africa’s export growth and how these…
The United States of America is a longstanding and important trading partner of South Africa, not only because it absorbs large volumes of South Africa’s metal, mineral, manufactured and agricultural exports but also because it is a major source of…
Many of the technological advances that have gripped the world’s attention in recent years are nothing short of amazing - not only because of the novelty and convenience that they bring but because of the speed with which they are lapped up by a…
The TRADE (an acronym for Trade and Development) research focus area of North-West University (NWU together with the Tutwa consulting group, the agricultural business chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), the Johannesburg chamber of commerce and industry…
“Africa is so wealthy when it comes to land and natural resources, but it is also so underdeveloped, poor and needy. If women enjoyed the same access to resources as men, the continent would be able to produce 20-30% more than it currently does.…
“In global economic terms, 2016 will be remembered as a year of living dangerously,” said UNCTAD’s Igor Paunovic in a webinar live-streamed from Geneva to the North-West University’s TRADE research entity on 25 November 2016. Presenting the main…
Contrary to popular belief, globalisation is not the primary cause of job losses in the world today. In fact, trade and investment have been vital instruments in stimulating economic growth, particularly in the developing countries, and lifting…