Download or read book An Assessment of the Investment Climate in South Africa written by Vijaya Ramachandran and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2007-05-10 with total page 161 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most aspects of South Africa's investment climate the location-specific factors that shape opportunities and incentives for firms to invest productively, create jobs, and grow are favorable. The majority of large, registered firms believe that the legal system is able to protect their property rights. Infrastructure is reliable. Tax rates are relatively low. The burden of regulation is comparable to other middle-income countrries. Few firms pay bribes. And most firms have adequate access to credit. In many dimensions, South Africa has a good investment climate. Consistent with this, large South African firms are very productive. Labor productivity is far higher than in the most productive low-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and compares favorably with other middle-income countries such as Brazil, Lithuania, Malaysia, and Poland. And although labor productivity in South Africa is slightly lower than in the most productive cities in China, it is over three times higher than in China as a whole. So, why hasn't South Africa been growing faster? As this title explores, while the investment climate is generally favorable, some problems remain. Firms appear to be particularly concerned about four areas: difficulty hiring skilled and educated workers, rigid labor regulations, exchange rate instability, and crime. Using rigorous statistical information on these and related topics, the book aims to assist policy makers and private sector stakeholders in developing reforms that will improve firm performance and growth.
Download or read book The Investment Climate in Brazil India and South Africa written by Andrew Beath and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2008 with total page 139 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A strong investment climate is a platform for economic success. By creating opportunities and setting incentives for firms to invest and productively employ inputs, the investment climate is critical to economic growth and prosperity. Analyzing and comparing the investment climate of Brazil, India, and South Africa, three of today's largest emerging economies, this book presents policy makers with the scope of investment climate reforms in these countries. Inter- and intra-country benchmarking can be a starting point for dialogue between the government and private sector on reform priorities and help to encourage the sharing of best practices. Our hope is that this book will encourage and facilitate reform steps that can improve the investment climate in emerging economies.
Download or read book The Investment Climate in Brazil India and South Africa written by Andrew Beath and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This analysis demonstrates that Brazil, India, and South Africa are far from reaching their full economic potential. In all three countries, aspects of the investment climate which could be improved through reform constrain firms, resulting in lower levels of investment, misallocation of factor inputs, and disincentives to engage in innovation and employee training. In Brazil and India, in particular, changes to tax policy and regulation and improvements in physical infrastructure and public administration will, with a good probability, result in heightened firm-level productivity, increased investment, and higher levels of economic growth. South Africa, meanwhile, has achieved mostly favorable tax and regulatory policies. Firms nevertheless continue to face constraints due to the high cost of skilled labor, the high level of criminal activity, and uncertainty concerning the value of the exchange rate. The nature of the investment climate in Brazil, India, and South Africa is significantly different in each case and, as such, there is substantial scope for learning between the three countries. Taxation in Brazil, for instance, is extremely burdensome, both in administrative and financial terms, a fact that has stemmed from the rigid revenue needs of central and state government. South Africa's experience, where tax revenue was dramatically increased even as tax rates were reduced, is instructive for Brazil. The experience of Brazil in reforming bankruptcy procedures could be instructive to India. Similarly, Brazil and India have much to learn from South Africa in areas of public administration, in improving access to finance and upgrading the quality of physical infrastructure, and in reducing the burden of regulation governing market entry, exit, and the employment of labor. In a number of areas, India has much to impart to Brazil and South Africa. Skilled labor in India is both readily available, which it isn't in Brazil, and relatively inexpensive, which it certainly isn't in South Africa. The stability of India's exchange rate contrasts sharply with the volatility of those of Brazil and South Africa, which again provides another area for mutual learning and assistance. While there is scope for learning from each other, all three countries can also learn from themselves. In Brazil and India, in particular, substantial differences exist between regions in different aspects of the investment climate. In a large share of cases, substantial improvements in the overall investment climate would be observed if all of the states within a country mimicked the policies and performance of the best domestic performer in each category. Thus, while it is important for countries to benchmark themselves against regional and global competitors and set targets accordingly, it is important for them to also look inward and to encourage state and municipal authorities to adopt reforms that have worked particularly well in specific parts of the country.
Download or read book An Assessment of the Investment Climate in Kenya written by Giuseppe Iarossi and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2009 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Based on a survey of 781 establishments, this book sheds light on some of the most important policy issues required to put Kenya on a higher growth path. It highlights the challenges that the country's businesses face today and what government can do to overcome such obstacles.
Download or read book Investment Climate Reforms written by World Bank World Bank and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2015-11-02 with total page 253 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Private firms are at the forefront of the development process, providing more than 90 percent of jobs, supplying goods and services, and representing a significant source of tax revenues. Their ability to grow, create jobs, and reduce poverty depends critically on a well-functioning investment climate--defined as the policy, legal, and institutional arrangements underpinning the functioning of markets and the level of transaction costs and risks associated with starting, operating, and closing a business. The World Bank Group has provided extensive support to investment climate reforms. This evaluation by the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) assesses the relevance, effectiveness, and social value of World Bank Group support to investment climate reforms as it relates to concerns for inclusion and shared prosperity. IEG finds that the World Bank Group has supported a comprehensive menu of investment climate reforms and has improved investment climate in countries, as measured by number of laws enacted, streamlining of processes and time, or simple cost savings for private firms. However, the impact on investment, jobs, business formation, and growth is not straightforward. Regulatory reforms need to be designed and implemented with both economic and social costs and benefits in mind; IEG found that, in practice, World Bank Group support focuses predominantly on reducing costs to businesses. In supporting investment climate reforms, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation use two distinct but complementary business models. Despite the fact that investment climate is the most integrated business unit in the World Bank Group, coordination is mostly informal, relying mainly on personal contacts. IEG recommends that the World Bank Group expand its range of diagnostic tools and integrate them in the areas of the business environment not yet covered by existing tools; develop an approach to identify the social effects of regulatory reforms on all groups expected to be affected by them beyond the business community; and exploit synergies by ensuring that World Bank and IFC staff improve their understanding of each other's work and business models.
Download or read book Unlocking Private Sector Investment for Low Carbon Transition in South Africa written by Weltbankgruppe and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Just energy transition is key to South Africa's inclusive and sustainable growth. It is necessary to unlock large pools of private capital and attract foreign investment to drive low-carbon transition. Despite downside risks, South Africa has strong macroeconomic fundamentals and commitment to improving the overall investment climate. Climate change poses considerable systematic risks, thus needs to be urgently integrated into macroeconomic policy and planning. Harness transition opportunity invest in resilient infrastructure and create market for low-carbon technologies to boost growth and strengthen the macro investment climate. Implement carbon tax effectively and raise policy ambition, supported by a fiscal framework conducive for climate investments, as well as invest tax revenues to support just transition. The current energy crisis presents an opportunity for sector reform, regulatory changes, and use of innovative financial solutions to promote low-carbon private sector investments. The World Bank has developed this discussion paper in response to the government of South Africa's request to analyze ways in which private capital flows can be catalyzed and leveraged for low-carbon investments. The focus of this paper is on electricity generation sector and the industry sector.
Download or read book A Measure of the Investment Climate in South Africa written by Tongai Foto and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Investor confidence is a concept many investors are constantly trying to gauge. In practice however these concepts are usually not easy to measure. This study attempts to capture the total sum of investor perception in South Africa by examining market behaviour. Data from the JSE/FTSE (1995-2009) will be used to determine an Equity Risk Premium. Bond Yield Spreads will also be calculated from data provided by I-NET BRIDGE. An amalgamation of these components will produce the proposed Investment Confidence Index. Similar indices currently on the South African Market are based on subjective surveys and might therefore be biased. The proposed index which is a first in SA will prove invaluable to practitioners in the financial sector.
Download or read book An Assessment of the Investment Climate in Nigeria written by Giuseppe Iarossi and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2009 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book sheds light on some of the most important policy issues required to put Nigeria on a higher growth path. It highlights the challenges that Nigeria's businesses face today and what government can do to overcome such obstacles.
Download or read book The Foreign Investment Regulation Review written by Calvin S. Goldman and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 293 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book South Africa written by United States United States Department of State and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2016-04-22 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The government of South Africa is generally open to foreign investment as a means to drive economic growth, improve international competitiveness, and access foreign markets. Merger and acquisition activity is more sensitive and requires more advance work to answer potential stakeholder concerns. Virtually all business sectors are open to foreign investment. Certain sectors require government approval for foreign participation, including energy, mining, banking, insurance, and defense. Excepting those sectors, no government approval is required to invest, and there are few restrictions on the form or extent of foreign investment. The Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Trade and Investment South Africa (TISA) division provides assistance to foreign investors. The DTI concentrates on sectors in which research indicates the foreign country has a comparative advantage. TISA offers information on sectors and industries, consultation on the regulatory environment, facilitation for investment missions, links to joint venture partners, information on incentive packages, assistance with work permits, and logistical support for relocation. DTI publishes the "Investor's Handbook" on its website: www.dti.gov.za.
Download or read book Investment Climate Reform in South Africa written by Brendan Vickers and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A central challenge facing the South African government is how to build a modern and vibrant economy that is outwardly oriented and internationally competitive, while simultaneously addressing the massive backlogs in access to social and economic services. Their experience has demonstrated the importance of crafting a unique investment identity and how domestic firms, by leading the way and showing trust in the economy, can win the confidence of foreign investors. Foreign and domestic investment levels in SA remain below the average for other developing and emerging markets despite improved macroeconomic conditions and success in some sectors. Increasing transparency of regulations and reducing regulatory uncertainty could improve the investment climate.
Download or read book The Political Challenges of Foreign Investments written by Efrider Maramwidze and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Unlocking Africa s Potential written by Neuma Grobbelaar and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Since 1994, South Africa firms have emerged as some of the largest investors in the rest of Africa. Present in a wide range of sectors across the continent, they have been involved in changing not only Africa's cityscapes and societies, but also, significantly, the conduct of business in the region. This volume draws together authors from different parts of the world who are keenly interested in the development of Africa's private sector. Based in part on the research that the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) has conducted on the experiences of South African companies in 9 countries across the continent, the volume takes as its standpoint the view that sustainable development in Africa can only be achieved if the private sector is allowed to flourish. Highlighting the importance of public-private partnership in achieving this vision, it offers recommendations on how to strengthen the private sector in Africa for policy-makers interested in the continent's development."--P. [4] of cover.
Download or read book Second Best Investment Climate and Performance in Africa s Special Economic Zones written by Thomas Farole and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As an instrument of trade and investment policy, special economic zones have played a catalytic role in processes of industrialization, diversification, and trade integration in many countries, particularly in East Asia. However, in the African context, anecdotal evidence suggests the experience has been disappointing on the whole. Among the reasons why many zones underperform may be that they fail to establish a high quality investment environment -- this is, after all, one of the main promises that economic zones hold for investors. Drawing on original survey research, this paper presents a systematic analysis of the outcomes and the investment climate of economic zones programs in six African countries and four developing countries outside the region. The analysis finds that although performance across zones is mixed -- with Ghana and Lesotho in particular performing well on some measures -- African zones programs on the whole are underperforming in terms of attracting investment, facilitating exports, and creating jobs. Economic zones in Africa offer an improved business environment relative to what is available to firms based outside the zones; however, in comparison with the non-African countries in the survey, both absolute investment climate performance and relative improvements fall well short.
Download or read book Investment Climate for the Informal Economy written by Francie Lund and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Pattern for Profit in Southern Africa written by Ian Mackler and published by Lexington, Mass : Lexington Books. This book was released on 1972 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Study of the role of USA in South Africa R, maintaining that the profitability of multinational enterprise operations in South Africa has led the USA to adopt a foreign policy which implicity supports Apartheid and enhances the role of South Africa R in Namibia - includes a bibliography pp. 89 to 96 and references.
Download or read book Doing Business 2020 written by World Bank and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2019-11-21 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Seventeen in a series of annual reports comparing business regulation in 190 economies, Doing Business 2020 measures aspects of regulation affecting 10 areas of everyday business activity.
