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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
371

The SA-EU trade, development and co-operation agreement : democratising South Africa's trade policy

Bertelsmann-Scott, Talitha 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis examines the democratisation of South Africa's foreign trade policy, by evaluating the negotiations surrounding the establishment of a free trade area between South Africa and the European Union (EU). Democracy here is defined as a form of government that rests on three components namely, public participation in and public debate over policy formulation and a governing elite that is responsive to the needs of the majority of the population. The thesis firstly outlines the process of negotiation itself, looking at the developments that shaped the years of talks. It examines the nature of the final agreement, called the Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA). It focuses on the Co-operation Agreements that were concluded, South Africa's partial accession to the Lomé Convention and the details of the free trade agreement. It finds that although the negotiations took very long to complete and the EU proved to be a tough negotiator, there are a number of opportunities for South Africans in the TDCA. In the second section the internal process in developing a South African negotiating mandate is examined. This is done to conclude whether or not South Africa's foreign trade policy is being formulated in a democratic manner. However, first of all the question why the democratisation of foreign trade policy formulation is important is addressed. Two possible theories are advanced. Firstly, globalisation has forced countries to lure foreign direct investment (FDI) as a matter of urgency. Seeing as FDI is mostly tied up with western nations that prefer democracies, states are opting to democratise. The focus is to a large extent on satisfying international actors. Or alternatively, the very survival of the nascent democracy today depends on the consultative nature of domestic economic and international economic policy formulation. This is not a question of choice with an external focus, but rather a matter of urgency with purely an internal focus. Four actors in foreign policy formulation, namely parliament, government, the bureaucracy and civil society, are examined in order to understand whether they had access to the process and whether these institutions themselves have been democratised since 1994. The thesis finds that the process was to a large extent democratic in nature. However, the thesis also finds that no matter how democratic policy formulation is in South Africa, the options for policy are limited by a number of international elements. These include globalisation, regional trading blocs like the European Union, and international organisations like the World Trade Organisation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tesis evalueer die demokratisering van Suid-Afrika se buitelandse handelsbeleid deur die onderhandelingsproses tussen die Europese Unie (EU) en Suid-Afrika rakende die sluiting van 'n vryhandelsooreenkoms te ontleed. Demokrasie word in die tesis definieer as 'n tipe regering wat rus op drie komponente, naamlik deelname in en debat oor beleidsformulering en 'n regerende elite wat die behoeftes van die meerderheid van die burgers in ag neem in beleidsformulering. Eerstens omskryf die tesis die gebeure wat die onderhandelingsproses beïnvloed het. Die finale ooreenkoms word oorweeg teen die agtergrond van die samewerkingsooreenkomste wat tussen die partye gesluit is, Suid-Afrika se gedeeltelike deelname aan die Lomé Konfensie en die vryhandelsooreenkoms. Die gevolgtrekking word bereik dat ten spyte van die feit dat die onderhandelings oor 'n hele aantal jare gestek het, en alhoewel die EU 'n uitgeslape onderhandelaar was, die orreenkoms talle geleenthede vir Suid-Afrikaners skep. In die tweede instansie word die interne proses wat tot Suid-Afrika se onderhandelingsmandaat gelei het, ondersoek. Dit is gedoen om vas te stel of die beleid op 'n demokratiese manier geformuleer is. Daar word egter eers bepaal waarom die demokratisering van buitelandse handelsbeleid belangrik is. Twee moontlike teorie word geformuleer. Die eerste stel dit dat globalisering lande forseer om direkte buitelandse beleggings aan te lok. Siende dat buitelandse beleggings van westerlike state afkomstig is, wat verkies om met demokratiese state sake te doen, word ontwikkelende lande as te ware geforseer om veral hulle buitelandse beleidsformulering te demokratiseer. In die alternatief kan dit betoog word dat die voortbestaan van die demokrasie self afhang van 'n ekonomiese beleidsformulering wat beide binnelandse en internasionale prosesse insluit. Dit is nie 'n kwessie van keuse met 'n eksterne fokus nie, maar 'n noodsaaklikheid met 'n interne fokus. Vier groeperinge wat buitelandse beleidsformulering beïnvloed word ondersoek, naamlik die Parlament, the regering, die burokrasie en die burgerlike samelewing, om vas te stelof hierdie instansies toegang tot die proses gehad het en of hierdie instansies self sedert 1994 gedemokratiseer is. Die tesis kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat al is die formulering van buitelandse beleid hoé demokraties, word die moontlikehede vir beleidsformulering beperk deur globalisering, streeksorganisasies soos die EU, en internasionale organisasies soos the Wêreld Handelsorganisasie. Vir Chris, Gitti, Thomas en my ouers, sonder wie hierdie nooit klaar sou gekom het nie. Baie dankie ook aan Prof Philip Nel vir sy hulp, leiding en ondersteuning.
372

Foreign direct investment by South African companies in the Peoples Republic of China : opportunities and risks

Areff, Sameer 04 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study addresses the topic of foreign direct investment in the People's Republic of China (P.Re.) by South African companies, focusing on opportunities and risks in the context of 'South-South Co-operation' between the P.RC. and South Africa. Relations between the two developing countries have only been forged since January 1998 when South Africa recognised the P.RC. government as the dejure representative of China. With the Chinese market of 1.3 billion potential consumers proving to be a lucrative opportunity for all international, multinational and transnational companies, it is imperative for South African companies to gain a foothold in the Chinese market. Therefore, entry requirements as well as impediments that could emerge have to be scrutinised. Analysis of governmental relations currently being forged between the two states is assessed as well as the wider context of 'Sino-Africa' co-operation. China's recent entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has and will continue to have a substantial effect on the international trading system. The implications of this for South African companies is given considerable attention in order to highlight resulting opportunities. Apart from assessmg the current state of relations and identifying investment and business opportunities, the study also focuses on the method of conducting business in China which has highly complex rules and regulations for companies entering the P.RC. An analysis of the different modes of entry is conducted, coupled with a focus on the cultural sensitivities and norms that are associated with building relationships when negotiating possible business partnerships. The study finally identifies potential risks that foreign direct investors need to continually assess, namely, the transfer of political power to a new generation of relatively young leaders, corruption that is spreading within China and the restructuring of State Owned Enterprises (SOE's) and the inevitable consequence of job losses. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie spreek die onderwerp van buitelandse direkte investering in die Volksrepubliek van Sjina (VRS) deur Suid-Afrikaanse maatskappye aan, en fokus op geleenthede en risikos in die konteks van 'Suid-Suid samewerking' tussen die VRS en Suid-Afrika. Betrekkings tussen die twee ontwikkelende lande is eers onlangs gesmee nadat Suid-Afrika in Januarie 1998 die VRS as die dejure verteenwoordiger van Sjina erken het. Met In Sjinese mark van meer as 1.3 miljard potensiële verbruikers wat In winsgewende geleentheid vir alle internasionale, multinasionale en transnasionale maatskappye skep, is dit imperatief vir Suid-Afrikaanse maatskappye om hulself in die Sjinese mark te vestig. Dus moet toegangsvereistes asook moontlike hindernisse noukeurig ondersoek word. Die studie doen 'n analise van betrekkings wat huidiglik tussen die twee state se regerings gesmee word, en die breër konteks van samewerking tussen Sjina en Afrika word ook geëvalueer. Die VRS se onlangse toetrede tot die Wêreldhandelsorganisasie (WHO) het en sal aanhou om 'n wesenlike impak op die internasionale handelsstelsel te hê. Daar word ook aansienlike aandag geskenk aan die implikasies hiervan vir Suid-Afrikaanse maatskappye om sodoende geleenthede uit te lig. Bo en behalwe 'n evaluering van die huidige stand van betrekkings en 'n identifisering van beleggings- en besigheidsgeleenthede, fokus hierdie studie ook op die manier waarop besigheid in Sjina onderneem word, wat uiters gekompliseerde reëls en regulasies insluit vir maatskappye wat die land betree. 'n Analise van die verskillende wyses van toegang is onderneem, tesame met 'n fokus op die kulturele sensitiwiteite en norme wat 'n invloed op die bou van verhoudings tydens die onderhandeling van moontlike besigheidsvennootskappe kan hê. Laastens identifiseer die studie potensiële risikos wat buitelandse direkte beleggers voortdurend in ag moet neem, naamlik die oordrag van mag na 'n nuwe generasie van relatief jong leiers, die verspreiding van korrupsie, die herstrukturering van staatskorporasies en die onvermydelike gevolge van werksverliese.
373

The EU-SA free trade agreement : implications for selected agricultural products

Corbett, Johannes Kruger 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As the Trade Development and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA) creates competitive challenges and opportunities, labour and capital will seek the highest returns, dri ving out less efficient performances while bolstering more efficient enterprises and industries. This dynamic process of adjustments will continue throughout the implementation of this agreement. The South African government sees the agreement with the European Union as a step towards restructuring the country's economy and making it part of the rapidly changing world economy. This policy view of the South African government will result in those sectors of the economy that are not internationally competitive, receiving no support from government. Consequently these sectors will decrease in time. Of the three agricultural profiles studied, fresh fruit (deciduous fruit) will benefit the most from the TDCA. The most obvious effect the agreement will have on the sector is the saving on customs duties payable on exports to the EU. An estimate on 1997 trade figures revealed that in the short term the deciduous fruit industry will save approximately RI00 million. Over the implementation period of 10 years, the industry will save about Rl billion. After that, savings amounting to approximately R125 million per annum should be possible. The canned fruit sector is an export-driven industry that exports about 90 per cent of its products, 50 per cent of which is exported to the EU. The export tariffs to the EU are very high. As non-EU member, South Africa is the biggest provider of canned fruit to the EU. Some analyses revealed that the total savings in tariffs for the first year of implementation will be R25 million. The industry stands to save approximately R100 million over the implementation period. At the EU's request, South Africa agreed to negotiate a separate Wine and Spirits Agreement. The EU believes that South Africa's continued use of certain "geographical indications" or terms is in breach of Article 23 of the Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) agreement. The quotas granted by the EU on wine and sparkling wine cover 79 per cent of South African exports to the EU. South Africa granted the EU a 0.26 million litre quota for sparkling wine and a 1 million-litre quota for bottled wine. SA will phase out the use of the terms "port", "sherry", "grappa", ouzo", "korn" , "jagertee" and "pacharan" over agreed time periods. The issue will be taken to the WTO for a ruling in this regard. The EU has agreed to grant SA a duty-free tariff quota for wine but has suspended the tariff quota until the Wine and Spirits agreement has been signed. The EU will also provide financial assistance of 15 million ECU to help restructure the SA wine and spirits sector. The South African agricultural industry should take note of the constantly changing international marketing environment. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed with the European Union opens up new markets and enhances existing ones that must be exploited. It is imperative that every role player should evaluate the level of competitiveness of his or her enterprise. Thus the message is very clear: Agricultural production with an international trading view is the only sustainable road to follow. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Soos die Handel, Ontwikkelings en Samewerkingsooreenkoms kompeterende geleenthede en uitdagings skep, sal arbeid en kapitaal verskuif na die hoogste opbrengste beskikbaar. In hierdie proses sal daar wegbeweeg word van onvoldoende prestasies en sal effektiewe ondememings en industriee floreer. Hierdie dinarniese proses van herstruktuering sal voortduur regdeur die implementeringsperiode van hierdie handelsooreenkoms. Die Suid Afrikaanse regering beskou die ooreenkoms met die Europese Unie as 'n belangrike stap in die proses om die land se ekonomie te herstrukltureer en so deel te maak van die vinnig veranderende wereld ekonomie. Hierdie regerings beleid sal daartoe lei dat sektore wat nie intemasionaal mededingend is nie, geen ondersteuning vanaf die regering sal ontvang nie. Met tyd sal hierdie sektore verdwyn. Van die drie landbousektore wat bestudeer is, sal vars vrugte (sagte vrugte) die meeste voordeel trek uit die ooreenkoms. Die besparing van aksynsbelasting op die uitvoere na die Europese Unie is die mees kenmerkendste voordeel vir die sektor. 'n Beraming gebaseer op 1997 handels syfers toon 'n jaarlikse besparing van plus minus R100 miljoen. Deur die hele implementeringsperiode, sal die besparing plus minus Rl biljoen beloop. Na afloop van die implementeringsperiode, sal jaarlikse besparing van plus minus R125 miljoen moontlik wees. Die inmaak vrugte sektor is 'n uitvoer gedrewe industrie wat gemiddeld 90 persent van hul prod uk uitvoer. Van hierdie uitvoere is 50 persent bestem vir die Europese Unie. Die uitvoertariewe na die Europese Unie is baie hoog. As nie-lidland, is Suid Afrika die grootste verskaffer van geblikte vrugte aan die Europese Unie. Beramings voorsien dat die sektor 'n totale besparing vir die eerste jaar van implemetering van plus minus R25 miljoen kan beloop. Die industrie kan soveel as R100 rniljoen oor die implementeringsperiode bespaar. Op die Europese Unie se versoek, het Suid Afrika ingestem om 'n afsonderlike Wyn en Spiritualie ooreenkoms te onderhandel. Die Europese Unie beweer dat Suid Afrika se gebruik van sekere "geografiese aanduidings" of terme, In verbreking is van Artikel 23 van die Handelsverwante Aspekte van die Intellektuele Eiendomsregte Ooreenkoms. Wyn en vonkelwyn kwotas wat deur die Europese Unie aan Suid Afrika toegestaan is, beloop 79 persent van die uitvoere na die Europese Unie. Suid Afrika het die Europese Unie In kwota van 0.26 miljoen liter vir vonkelwyn en 1 miljoen kwota vir gebottelde wyn toegestaan. Voorts sal Suid Afrika die terme "port", "sherry", "grappa", "ouzo", "kom" , "jagertee" and "pacharan" met die ooreengekome peri odes uitfaseer. Die aspek sal egter na die WHO geneem word vir In finale beslissing. Die Europese Unie het ooreengekom om aan Suid Afrika In tarief vrye kwota vir wyn toe te staan, maar het dit opgehef tot tyd en wyl die Wyn en Spiritualie ooreenkoms onderteken is. Die Europese Unie sal ook finansiele ondersteuning van 15 miljoen ECU skenk om die Suid Afrikaanse Wyn en Spiritualiee industrie te help hestruktureer. Suid Afrikaanse Landbou sal notisie moet neem van die konstante verandering in die intemasionale bemarkingsomgewing. Die Vrye Handelsooreenkoms wat geteken is met die Europese Unie, open nuwe markte en sal bestaande markte bevorder. Hierdie geleenthede moet benut word. Dit is baie belangrik dat elke rolspeler sy vlak van kompeterende vermoe moet evalueer, om so sy eie siening oor die ooreenkoms te kan uitspreek. Hieruit is die boodskap dus baie duidelik: Landbou produksie met In intemasionale handels uitkyk, is die enigste volhoubare pad om te volg.
374

The AGOA : assessing the opportunities'

Toich, Peter January 2002 (has links)
Study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The African Growth and Opportunity Act was signed into law in May 2000 to allow qualifying SSA countries to export eligible products duty free to the US. The act is a non-reciprocal "agreement" designed solely by the US, with the objective of promoting increased trade and investment between the US and SSA. The US insist that trade will lead to development on the African continent if SSA countries liberalise their markets and become integrated into the global economy. The theory behind trade liberalisation is that it promotes allocative efficiency by exploiting comparative advantage. I however argue that trade liberalisation can realise its potential only if the US start dismantling the protectionist barriers that have been described in this report. The AGOA does reduce tariff barriers for a number of African products. However new non-tariff barriers have been erected which are less transparent, but just as effective as tariff barriers. The report documents the significance of existing trade barriers that seek to protect the US industries from harm, and evaluates the problems that are created in spite of the intentions of the AGOA. A number of specific issues that will be significant for the future outcomes of the Act were also dealt with. These included: the anti-dumping steel duties, US Farm Bill, NEPAD and the textiles and apparel debate. The problems found with the AGOA included: • Protectionism that is sector specific, involving the cases of the antidumping steel duties and the Farm Bill. • The unfavourable terms of trade associated with the Act, caused by the non-negotiable, non-reciprocal and temporary nature of the AGOA. • The eligibility conditions of the Act, which serve to bind African countries to the rules of the World Trade Organisation and exclude some countries on the African continent from obtaining benefits. • Internal reform problems within the SSA countries involving government departments, infrastructure and the macroeconomic environment. The evidence over the short time since it was enacted reveals that the SSA countries will not gain much from the extended trade benefits of the AGOA, unless their capacity to produce and supply the US market is enhanced. Furthermore, most of the AGOA benefits have gone to oil exporting countries and SA, who is the only non-oil country benefiting from a number of sectors at present. The Act has failed to increase trade flows from eligible countries to the US, as most of the SSA countries are not at the economic development to take advantage of the preferences that have been provided under the AGOA. Furthermore the liberalisation of many of the African economies has not been reciprocated by the US. The actions of many interest groups in the US indicate that they are "yes" to free trade but "not" at the expense of jobs and profits. This is evident, as the AGOA provides no exceptions to any of the US retaliatory measures and the fact that interest groups in the US influence many of the product decisions when domestic market share is threatened. One of the positive outcomes of the AGOA is the joint US Africa Trade and Economic Co-operation Forum that will provide future avenues for beneficial US-Africa trade relations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming
375

The impact of international funding on projects in developing countries

Hansen, B. B.(Britt Bertram) 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This assignment seeks to critically analyse the impact of international funding on the present state of development in developing countries. The aim of the analysis is to provide recommendations to improve the methods and motives behind giving funding in order to increase the impact of such funding. International funding provided to developing countries is often based on rigid guidelines, requirements, restrictions and conditions. It is these conditions that need revising to be more appropriate for conditions in developing countries. Only through viewing case studies and learning from them is it possible for international funding to facilitate more innovative and effective development to those in need. The research findings are derived from analysis of the literature review of international funding and through viewing the Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), the two organisations of this case study. The SAPS is one of many organisations receiving international assistance and have benefited from assistance from DANIDA since 1994. Funding for the project in the study was granted after the project proposal was formulated to fit the requirements of the DANIDA Guideline for Project Preparation, a set of guidelines prescribed to any organisation wanting to receive funding from DANIDA. All funding organisations have similar guidelines although it is evident that some are more rigid and prescriptive than others. From this study a list of recommendations were developed pertaining to the sets of guidelines used by international development organisations. It appeared rational that the list of recommendations should be divided into suggestions on the required structures of development organisations and on the required aspects to be included in the project proposal and implementation. The recommendations to the structures were to determine the level of involvement of the funding organisation in the project; to determine the literacy level necessary to comply with the funding requirements; to decide on the level of involvement of external consultants; to ensure frequent reviews; and finally to ensure conflict resolution. The aspects to be included in the project proposal and implementation were based on ensuring equal opportunity in terms of diversity and gender awareness; to commit to the sustainability of the project; for all parties to be involved in the compilation of project objectives and to ensure that the project represents the overall development goals of the beneficial country. Although a number of these recommendations are applied by some organisations it is necessary for the successful outcome of a project that all are considered. Each recommendation represents a building block of development and these are all interdependent. The general conclusion of this study is therefore that some level of conditionality is necessary. No one can expect economic aid to be given without conditions but the conditions must be fair, benefiting the recipient country and ensuring that development of those living in poverty is indeed the outcome of all funding. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werkstuk het ten doelom die impak van internasionale befondsing op die huidige stand van ontwikkeling in ontwikkelende lande krities te analiseer. Die analise het die formulering van aanbevelings ter verbetering van die metodes en motiewe agter die toestaan van befondsing ten doel ten einde die impak van sulke fondse te verhoog. Internasionale befondsing vir ontwikkelende lande is dikwels gebaseer op rigiede riglyne, vereistes, beperkings en voorwaardes. Dit is hierdie voorwaardes wat hersien moet word ten einde meer toepaslik vir toestande in ontwikkelende lande te wees. Slegs deur die ontleding van gevallestudies en lesse daaruit geleer is dit moontlik vir internasionale befondsers om meer innoverende en effektiewe ontwikkeling aan behoeftiges te fasiliteer. Die navorsingsbevindings is afgelei uit die analise van die literatuurstudie insake internasionale befondsing, asook die analise van die twee organisasies in die gevallestudie, naamlik die "Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA)" en die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie Diens (SAPD). Die SAPD is een van vele organisasies wat internasionale bystand ontvang en word reeds sedert 1994 deur DANIDA ondersteun. Befondsing vir die projek waarop die gevallestudie gebaseer is, was toegestaan nadat die projekvoorstel geformuleer is volgens die vereistes van die "DANIDA Guideline for Project Preparation". Laasgenoemde is 'n stel riglyne wat voorgeskryf word aan alle organisasies wat vir befondsing wil kwalifiseer. Alle befondsingsorganisasies het soortgelyke riglyne, alhoewel dit duidelik is dat sommiges veel meer rigied en voorskrywend is as ander. Uit die studie is 'n stel aanbevelings ontwikkel rakende die riglyne soos gebruik deur internasionale ontwikkelingsorganisasies. Dit blyk rasioneel om die lys van aanbevelings te verdeel volgens voorstelle rondom die vereiste struktuur van ontwikkelingsorganisasies, asook voorstelle aangaande die vereiste aspekte wat ingesluit moet word in die projekvoorstel en implementering. Aanbevelings insake die struktuur het ten doelom vas te stel watter vlak van betrokkenheid van die befondser benodig word; om die nodige geletterdheidsvlak vir die nakoming van die befondsingsvereistes te bepaal; om die vlak van betrokkenheid van eksterne konsultante te bepaal; om gereelde hersiening te verseker; en om konflik oplossing te verseker. Aspekte om in te sluit in die projekvoorstel en implementering is gebaseer op die versekering van gelyke geleenthede in terme van diversiteit en geslagsbewustheid; om volhoubaarheid van die projek na te streef; vir alle partye om betrokke te wees in die samestelling van die projekdoelwitte en om te verseker dat die projek die oorkoepelende ontwikkelingsdoelwitte van die begunstige land verteenwoordig. Alhoewel party van hierdie aanbevelings reeds toegepas word deur sekere organisasies, is dit noodsaaklik om alle aanbevelings in ag te neem ten einde 'n suksesvolle uitkoms van die projek te verseker. Elke aanbeveling verteenwoordig 'n boublok van ontwikkeling en almal is interafhanklik tot mekaar. Die algemene bevinding van hierdie studie is dat 'n bepaalde vlak van voorwaardelikheid noodsaaklik is. Daar kan nie verwag word dat ekonomiese hulp verskaf word sonder voorwaardes nie, maar laasgenoemde moet regverdig wees, voordelig vir die begunstigde land wees, en verseker dat ontwikkeling van diegene wat in armoede leef wel die uitkoms van alle befondsing is.
376

The Indian Ocean Rim : what kind of region is in the making?

Louw, Abraham Johannes Petrus 04 1900 (has links)
Mini-study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The processes of regionalism and regionalisation, of which a relatively high level is evident in the Indian Ocean Rim (lOR), that characterise today's global economy offer opportunities for economic growth and development to the mainly developing countries in the Indian Ocean Rim. The lOR has achieved the status of regional society which contributes towards the region actively articulating the interests of the member nations. The lesser-developed countries may well use this developing regionalisation in the lOR to combat its risk of marginalisation in the global order. Great diversity and disparity exist amongst lOR countries on levels of economic development, growth and openness, resulting in few countries achieving the major portion of the region's economic activities. This may complicate the development needs of the nation-states resulting in a low level of development uniformity. Such diversity poses a risk of polarised and unequal investment and development amongst member nations, and ultimately marginalisation in the global order. This does not support economic integration, but calls for economic co-operation to assist with economic development of the lOR. The lOR, as part of the global trading process, comprises a significant portion of the world's trade arising from the region and it presents a large market in the global economy. The lOR is further predominantly developing under the framework and rules of the WTO. Comparing the lOR-ARC with other regional organisations involving main global trading nations, it is evident that in trade volume and economic impact it is not comparable. However, the strategic importance of its energy resources and its locality in particular raises the prominence of the region in the global order. A low level of regional trade exists in the region resulting in the lOR countries being poor candidates for regional integration. However, it is significant to note that intra-regional trade in the lOR has over recent years grown significantly higher than its trade with the world. SA, as hegemon in Southern Africa, may gain development opportunities from its prominence in the lOR. The emerging African Union and NEPAD, however, are expected to receive higher priority amongst political decision makers than the lOR. The country's existing trade focus is with the developed North and it appears that the broader focus in the immediate future will be with mainly non-lOR countries. Variable geometry amongst the nations is common and developments amongst the region's numerous sub-regional groupings are leaning heavily towards economic integration into the future. A high level of institutionalisation has developed out of the role and activities of the lOR-ARC in the region. The IOR-ARC's principle of open regionalism promotes integration. The lOR-ARC, originally aimed at multi-sector cooperation as part of its focus on economic co-operation, is therefore expected to move towards economic integration into the future. When considering a broader perspective, it is evident that the lOR's readiness to embrace economic integration at this point is relatively low. Overall the focus within the lOR although currently focussing on economic cooperation, is expected to move towards economic integration, or neo-functional integration, into the medium to long term. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die prosesse van regionalisme en regionalisasie wat die hedendaagse globale ekonomie kenmerk en hulself manifesteer op relatiewe hoë vlak binne die Indiese Oseaan Randgebied (lOR), bied geleenthede vir ekonomiese groei en ontwikkeling aan die hoofsaaklik ontwikkelende lande in the lOR. Die lOR het die entiteit status van streeks-gemeenskap bereik wat dit in staat stelom by te dra om die lidlande se belange te artikuleer. Die minder-ontwikkelde lande mag egter hierdie ontwikkelende regionalisasie uitsluitlik gebruik om hul risiko tot marginalisasie in die globale orde te beperk. Hoë vlakke van diversiteit en dispariteit bestaan tussen die lOR lande in areas van ekonomiese ontwikkeling, groei en toeganklikheid, wat aanleiding gee dat 'n paar lande die oorgrote meerderheid ekonomiese aktiwiteite en bydrae lewer. Hierdie tendens mag egter lidlande se ontwikkelingsbehoeftes kompliseer wat lei tot 'n lae vlak van ontwikkeling-eenvormigheid in die streek. Hierdie diversiteit skep 'n risiko van gepolariseerde en ongelyke investering en ontwikkeling by die lidlande, en gevolglik 'n risiko van globale marginalisasie. Hierdie aspekte ondersteun nie ekonomies integrasie nie, maar eerder ekonomiese samewerking om by te dra tot die ekonomiese ontwikkeling van die lOR. Die lOR, as deel van die globale handelsproses, maak 'n noemenswaardige gedeelte uit van wêreldhandel, met oorsprong in die streek, en die streek bied 'n groot mark binne die globale ekonomie. Die ontwikkeling van die lOR in hierdie aspek vind hoofsaaklik plaas binne die raamwerk en reëls van die Wêreld Handelsorganisasie. 'n Vergelyking tussen die Indiese Oseaan Randgebied Assosiasie vir Ekonomiese Samewerking (lOR-ARC) en ander streeksorganisasies, wat die hoof globale handeldrywende nasies insluit, toon duidelik dat die lOR-ARC in handelsvolume en ekonomiese impak nie vergelykbaar is nie. Die strategiese belangrikheid van die energiebronne en die streeksligging in besonder, verhoog egter die belangrikheid van die streek in die wêreld orde. Die huidige lae streekshandel in die lOR dra daartoe by dat die lOR lande nie sterk kandidate vir streeksintegrasie is nie, alhoewel merkwaardige groei die afgelope jare op intra-streekshandel in die lOR voorgekom het. Sulke groei was aansienlik hoër as groei in lOR handel met die wêreld. SA, as hegemonie in Suider-Afrika, mag baat by ontwikkelingsgeleenthede wat mag uitvloei uit die land se prominensie in die lOR. Die Afrika Unie en NEPAD sal na verwagting egter hoër prioriteit by politieke besluitnemers geniet as die lOR. SA se gevestigde handelsfokus is gemik op die ontwikkelde "Noorde", en dit blyk asof die onmiddelike breër handelsfokus hoofsaaklik op nie-lOR lande gaan mik. Wisselende geometrie is algemeen by lOR lande en verdere verwikkelinge tussen die streek se veelvuldige sub-streeksorganisasies neig sterk na toekomstige ekonomiese integrasie. 'n Hoë vlak van institusionalisering het ontwikkel uit die rol en aktiwiteite van die lOR-ARC in streeksverband. Die lOR-ARC se beginsel van ope regionalisme bevorder integrasie verder. Die verwagting is dat die lOR-ARC, met sy oorsprong in multi-sektor ekonomiese samewerking, in die toekoms gaan beweeg na ekonomiese integrasie. Vanuit In breër perspektief gesien is dit duidelik dat die gereedheid van die lOR om ekonomiese integrasie aan te gryp tans relatief laag is. In die geheel gesien word die lOR, met die huidige fokus op ekonomiese samewerking, verwag om te beweeg na ekonomiese integrasie of neo-funksionele integrasie in die medium tot langtermyn.
377

An evaluation of the impact of quotas imposed on clothing and textiles imported from China on the clothing and textile manufacturing industry in South Africa

Lambrechts, Leon 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This report is an evaluation of the impact of the quotas imposed on clothing and textiles imported from China on the clothing and textile manufacturing industry in South Africa. On 28 August 2006 the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the People’s Republic of China concluded a memorandum in terms of which the export of certain tariff lines of the Chinese textile products to South Africa would be administered in accordance with the volumes specified in the memorandum for a period of two years. The fundamental objective of these import quotas was to provide South African clothing and textile firms the space in which to operate, with the aim of improving competitiveness in domestic and export markets in the long run. The Chinese market-share of South African global clothing imports has risen steadily to the mid-2006 level of just under 75 percent. It was claimed that because of the significant growth in imports from China between 63 000 to 67 000 jobs were lost in the domestic clothing and textile industry from March 2003 to September 2006. The effect of the imposition of the quotas is evaluated by comparing the state of the clothing and textile industry in South Africa prior to 2006, that is pre-quota imposition to the state of the industry up to two years after imposition of the quotas. Reference is made to employment in the clothing and textile industry in South Africa, the size of the industry in South Africa, the position of clothing retailers, labour costs and productivity, as well as the competitiveness of the local clothing and textile industry. The comparison shows that the import quotas did not solve the industry’s woes and that the trends prior to the imposition of the quotas continued. It further shows that the imposition of quotas had a detrimental effect on the welfare of consumers in the country. A change of tack for the industry’s policy makers and businesses is proposed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verslag is ‘n evaluering van die impak van kwotas ingestel op die invoer van klerasie en tekstiele vanuit China op die Suid Afrikaanse klerasie- en tekstiel-bedryf. Op 28 Augustus 2006 het die regerings van Suid-Afrika en China ‘n memorandum onderteken ingevolge waarvan die uitvoer van sekere Chinese tekstiel-tarieflyne na Suid-Afrika vir ‘n tydperk van twee jaar beperk sou word tot volumes gespesifiseer in die memorandum. Die doel van hierdie kwotas was om aan Suid Afrikaanse klerasie- en tekstiel-ondernemings die ruimte te skep om handel te dryf en sodoende hul mededingendheid in beide die plaaslike- en uitvoermarkte te verbeter. Die Chinese markaandeel van Suid-Afrikaanse klere-invoere het geleidelik gestyg tot net onder 75 persent in die middel van 2006. Arbeids-organisasies het aangevoer dat die aansienlike toename in invoere van China daartoe gelei het dat tussen 63 000 en 67 000 werksgeleenthede verlore gegaan het in die plaaslike klerasie- en tekstiel-bedryf vanaf Maart 2003 tot September 2006. Die effek van die kwota-instelling word geëvalueer deur die stand van die Suid-Afrikaanse klerasie- en tekstiel-bedryf voor 2006 - dit wil sê voor die instelling van die kwotas - te vergelyk met die stand van die bedryf vir ‘n tydperk van twee jaar ná die instelling van die kwotas. Verwysings word gemaak na die vlak van indiensneming in die Suid Afrikaanse klerasie- en tekstiel-bedryf, die grootte van die plaaslike bedryf, die posisie van klere-kleinhandelaars, arbeidskoste en produktiwiteit, asook die mededingendheid van die plaaslike bedryf. Die vergelyking toon dat die invoer-kwotas nie die bedryf verbeter het nie en dat tendense aanwesig voor die instelling van die kwotas steeds voortduur. Bowendien toon dit dat die instelling van die kwotas ‘n nadelige invloed gehad het op die welvaart van Suid-Afrikaanse verbuikers. ‘n Koersverandering vir die bedryf se beleidmakers en besighede word voorgestel.
378

The proposed SACU-US free trade agreement : impact on AGOA benefits

Van Wyk, Albertus Maritz 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was signed into law in May 2000 by President Clinton to allow sub-Saharan countries to export designated products duty-free into the US. AGOA is a temporary measure that is non-reciprocal and not negotiated by the participating parties. The initiative was launched to liberalise the markets of developing countries on the road to become integrated in the global economy. The initial success of AGOA was limited, with only a few countries making use of AGOA to increase their exports into the US markets. Problems encountered were high levels of protectionism from the US and the existence of technical trade barriers (including sanitary measures in agriculture) and nontariff barriers (including quotas). African countries are using shipment as the main transport for exports, and the US barred transshipment due to corruption that occurred in the past. The AGOA also made provision for 'special provisions' measures to enable AGOA eligible countries to export apparel and textile to the US. The export of apparel was very successful until the Multifibre Agreement expired in 2005, leading to relocation of apparel factories to lower cost bases. The real beneficiaries from AGOA are oil-exporting countries that make up more than 90% of total AGOA benefits. South Africa is the only country who succeeded in diversified AGOA exports. AGOA has been supplemented by AGOA II (extending the product range) and AGOA III (extending the expiry date to 2015). After the EU-SA Free Trade Agreement has been concluded in 1999, the US started with FTA negotiations with the South African Customs Union (SACU) to improve the exposure of US products to the SACU market and to decrease the trade deficit. However, the agenda of the FTA negotiations included second generation issues of intellectual property rights, trade in services, investment and government procurement. The SACU negotiators learnt some lessons from the EU-SA FTA and progress was slow. The extension of AGOA to 2015 saw a decrease in the urgency of striking a SACU-US FTA. Negotiations slowed down and the decision was made in April 2006 to conduct talks on a lower level. This breathing time can be used by the SACU negotiators to develop an aggressive offensive strategy for future negotiations, and to build competency against the efficient and offensive US negotiators. The US-SACU FTA must still be pursued to ensure that the benefits of AGOA are locked in. It will be beneficial for SACU if the different needs for all the SACU countries are addressed and the negotiations are done in incremental steps .
379

AGOA III and the proposed Free Trade Agreement between SACU and the USA : implications of a Free Trade Agreement with an industrialised country for SACU

Odendaal, Daniel Jacobus 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The SACU bloc, which accounts for one-half of the subcontinent's GDP, is the largest market for the US exports in SSA (Langton, January 2005). Wide differences exist among the economies of SACU - while SA has developed a significant manufacturing and industrial capacity, the other countries remain dependent on agriculture and mineral extraction. The grouping is dominated by SA, which accounts for 87% of the population, and 93% of the GDP of the customs area. SACU member states had a combined real GDP of $201bn in 2003. Services made up 65% of SA Trade in 2003 and had become a major player. In 2003, SACU was the 32nd largest trading partner of the US with two-way trade equivalent \ $7.3bn. Merchandise imports from SACU totaled $5.6bn in 2003, a 17.3% increase from 2002 and a 126% increase from 1996. They were composed of minerals such as platinum, diamonds, and titanium, textiles and apparel, vehicles, and automotive parts. Major US exports to the region include aircraft, vehicles, computers, and construction and agricultural equipment. Services trade between the US and SA has increased dramatically for both countries, with US exports increasing 154% and service imports from SA increasing by 383% respectively since 1992. The stock of US FDI in SA totaled $3.9bn in 2003 and was centered around manufacturing chemicals and services. The main economic objective of FTAs is to reduce trade barriers between member countries and liberalize trade and investment rules (Kanoute, November 2005). This improves market access which is the key to foreign export earnings and investment. But market access is a door that swings both ways, opening local markets to a flood of imports. This can undermine domestic production and employment, and thus exacerbate poverty. Some US civil society organizations have expressed concern that a SACU FTA could have negative consequences for poor Southern Africans, citing potential adjustment costs for import-competing farmers, poor enforcement of labour rights, privatization of utilities, and increased restrictions on importing generic drugs to treat HIV/AIDS (Langton, January 2005). The proposed FTA is ambitious, especially given the tight deadline and the broad range of topics on the negotiating table (Zunckel, Tralac). These include not only tariffs on goods, as is traditional in trade talks, but the wider global economic panoply of agriculture, rules of origin intellectual property, trade in services, investment, government procurement, trade remedies, labour, environmental standards and trade dispute settlement. The US gains reciprocity by gaining improved access to the SACU market than it currently enjoys under AGOA. The IP and "TRIPS plus" provisions are of particular concern to consumers (www.tralac.org.) Ongoing developments at the multilateral level bode against the advisability of entering into binding bilateral agreements with less favourable provisions on essential medicines. Foreign investment could lead to greater industrialization within SACU and competition within local industry, boosting efficiency. But safeguards and industrial policy must be utilized effectively to protect the region's developmental goals. Reliance on domestic courts as the forum of first instance (and state-to-state dispute settlements should those fail) is preferable, as it allows greater possibilities of defending the public interest of SACU citizens over investors' interests (Langton, January 2005). Reaching consensus on negotiating strategy in SACU is no easy feat. Formal negotiations began in June 2003, but talks have made little progress over the past years. The interests of the five different countries, at differing stages of development, have to be reconciled (Draper. 2004). No doubt SA, with its diverse array of interests relative to its BLNS partners in the customs union, will drive this. SACU negotiators, in common with those in many developing countries, have great difficulty in understanding, let alone mobilizing, their services sectors. Hence they have adopted a defensive posture, favouring liberalization only in those (few) sub-sectors that are well understood. SACU has formally accepted an offer made by the US to progress a so-called trade and investment cooperation agreement (TICA). Prior negotiation will be needed among SACU countries, who clearly have an interest in coordinating its negotiation with other US bilateral negotiating partners (Whalley & Leith, December 2003).
380

American business and United States foreign economic policy in East Asia, 1953-1960

Traylor, John Christopher, 1960- January 1987 (has links)
The Eisenhower Administration sought to create a large role for U.S. multinational corporations, who could provide a significant amount of the capital needed for trade expansion and industrial growth. This policy became known as "trade not aid." The trade not aid policy reflected both the fiscal conservatism and ideological beliefs of the Eisenhower Administration. By 1957 Eisenhower shifted to a policy of trade and aid. This study examines three foreign economic policies in the context of American-East Asian relations. It focused primarily on Japan, since that country served as the center of the American regional "workshop economy" concept in Asia. Tracing the development of the trade/aid program, this thesis then compares and contrasts governmental policies with business activity and opinion during the 1950s. It concludes that the foreign economic policy of the Eisenhower Administration contained serious flaws, served the needs of only a few countries in the region, and was weighted heavily toward a military support role rather than economic development. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)

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