The Regulatory Environment and its Impact on the Nature and Level of Economic Growth and Development in South Africa

Hosted by the

Venue: Glenburn Lodge, Muldersdrift, South Africa

The regulatory environment is often identified as one of the key challenges to economic growth and development in the developing world. South Africa is no different in this regard, with regulation and the regulatory environment often cited as a constraint to achieving the country’s macroeconomic and poverty reduction objectives. We hope that, through the papers presented at this conference, we have developed a more nuanced and considered view of this area of economic policy. We invited papers, predominantly, but not exclusively, in the area of economic regulation with the aim of stimulating debate and contributing to our understanding of the growth process in South Africa. The conference brought together researchers, policy makers, civil society and other social partners to critically analyse the work of peers and to dialogue on the findings and value from a policy perspective.

The key sub-themes, within which discussion took place, included the following:
• Financial regulation
• Local Government and Municipal Regulation
• Sectoral Regulation
• Tax and Tax-related Regulation
• Competition and Industrial Policy
• Labour Markets and Welfare
• Schooling, Higher Education and Industry Training
• Energy, Water and other Utilities
• Telecommunications
• Transport

Research papers focused on the relevant legislation and the key institutions responsible for implementing the regulations in each area. In addition, the impact of these on economic growth and development was evaluated. A focus was on SMMEs and how the regulations specifically impact on their development as well as the creation of employment. A number of papers were not focused on the economics of regulation, but was more relevant to South Africa’s poverty and labour market challenges.