Research, policy key to improving economy

• Published date: 06 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

In responding to challenges that have seized the economy, South Africa needs to improve the interface between research and policy, says Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

The Minister made this remark during the launch of the second phase of the Southern Africa-Towards Inclusive Economic Development (SA-TIED) programme on Thursday in Pretoria.

This first phase of the programme was rolled out between 2017 and March 2022.

Too often, said the Minister, research on the South African economy has focused on diagnosing the problems, but stops short of giving policymakers practical suggestions.

'It is this that SA-TIED is seized with. In its first phase, the programme was able to respond to the sudden and critical challenges created by COVID-19, as well as inform thinking on long-standing issues of inequality, poverty, and stagnating growth.

'With regard to COVID-19, research was rapidly produced to inform government interventions. SA-TIED was also able to provide technical research support to Operation Vulindlela, a key policy initiative jointly implemented by the National Treasury and The Presidency,' he said.

Contextualising the policy challenges faced by South Africa, which Phase 2 of SA-TIED sought to address, Godongwana said while much progress had been made to improve the performance of the economy since 1994, unemployment and inequality remain stubbornly high, and poverty is still pervasive.

'The economic stagnation of the past decade, coupled with the impact of COVID-19, mean that much of the progress achieved in the earlier period of democracy could be derailed.

'This is of great concern, as low economic growth entrenches poverty and inequality, while high income inequality aggravates social divisions and poses a risk to long-run economic growth,' he said.

In addition to the domestic issues, the country is also faced with global challenges, such climate change.

'As we navigate these internal and external uncertainties, which present both risks and opportunities, evidence-based decision making will be critical. Thus, in considering the various options available to address these challenges, policymakers must at all times be informed by high quality research.

He said that the best policy research requires a wide and diverse network of researchers. This includes international...