Trade reforms needed to boost economic recovery

To enable South Africans to rebuild as quickly as possible after the July riots, the government must implement pro-economic freedom reforms to ease the flow of goods and services and encourage capital (local and foreign) formation and investment. So says CHRIS HATTINGH.

Billions of rands worth of damage were caused by violence and looting in mid-July. Major disruptions of supply chains and business activity resulted. According to the South African Property Owners Association, as of 19 July, 150 000 jobs were at risk.

Businesses of all kinds require a safe environment in which to operate and invest long term, where their property is protected. On July 16, Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association, said, “Providing as much protection as possible for the entire supply-chain system is a case of protecting the logistical umbilical cords. It doesn’t help to secure a route and we move to warehouses and retailers that will just be looted again and again.” According to Netstar, more than three-quarters of trucks in KwaZulu-Natal were unable to travel due to the violent protests – large operators delayed or cancelled nearly 30 000 trips.

Early signs of recovery are encouraging. Supply chains are “largely back on track”, according to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC). In an advisory released on July 19, the DTIC indicated that Minister Ebrahim Patel had “issued an exemption from certain provisions of the Competition Act, to enable firms to collaborate and ensure availability of basic food and consumer items, emergency products, medical and hygiene supplies (including pharmaceutical products), refined petroleum products and emergency clean-up products.”

Government clearly recognises how vital the flow of goods is – and policy and regulatory formation should begin from exactly this perspective. This exemption should be made permanent, and more opportunities for regulatory and tax exemptions should be explored.

The DTIC should also be looking at tariff exemptions. Tariffs, and non-tariff trade barriers (NTBs), serve to increase the costs of goods and services, and discourage the flow of goods into and out of a country. NTBs are those regulatory barriers that impose additional import requirements; these result, for example, in longer shipping times, extra financial burdens and other bureaucratic obstacles that hinder the flow of goods. In the South African context, big NTBs take the form of corruption, race-focused labour legislation and – particularly after the recent violent disruption – increased security costs.

The latest Trade Barrier Index, released by the Property Rights Alliance, ranked South Africa at 42 out of 86 countries measured. In the context of sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa generally performs well. However, to encourage more investment and economic activity after the devastation of COVID-19 and government lockdowns, the country should look to emulate the practices of those countries ranked higher on the Index. The Index indicates that countries that rank lower are generally lower-income countries and their weak scores are “mostly attributed to high tariff scores, weak facilitation of property rights, membership of few trade agreements; as well as market entry restrictions on foreign businesses.”

As a result of an alleged cyberattack, Transnet Port Terminals declared force majeure on July 26. While its port operations are gradually recovering, the attack and subsequent hit to operations meant increased delays at ports, and some in the freight and shipping industries will simply choose to bypass SA’s ports. The full resumption of services – and transparent communication with customers that security will be of utmost priority going forward – is crucial for the improved flow of goods into and out of SA

To further facilitate the easy flow of goods – and the broader economic recovery – these recommendations should be considered:

Make permanent the July 2021 exemption from certain provisions of the Competition Act for small, medium and large businesses

Abandon any talk (and constitutional amendments along the lines) of investment-discouraging expropriation without compensation; focus on strengthening all South Africans’ property rights

Improve the efficiency of SA’s ports and rail networks and encourage private sector investment

Identify and eliminate duties upstream that unduly protect bigger players from more robust competition.

Government should not be tempted by protectionist measures, such as subsidies and “localisation” plans. These will only increase the price of goods – ultimately lower- and middle-income consumers feel such price increases the most. Having access to more, and hopefully cheaper, options also allows consumers to use more of their disposable income on other needs, including investments. Lowering tariff barriers is an excellent way for government to naturally stimulate economic activity.

Protectionist policies also shield politically well-connected businesses from competition (through higher tariffs imposed on goods produced by those who lose these political games) and incentivise corrupt behaviour.

After the damage caused by a decade of state capture, South Africa should limit the mixing of state and economy in as many areas as possible. As more countries (hopefully) get a handle on COVID-19 and open up their economies, those with the most trade- and investment-friendly policies will reap the most benefits. With capital formation comes businesses and factories, and the supply chains that link everything together – along with all the jobs that can be created at every link in the chain.

Capital tends to flow along paths with the fewest barriers; adequate, long term capital- and business-formation – and real job creation – will only happen in a favourable environment. South Africa should pursue a path of openness, as encouraged by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, and not implement growth- and job-killing protectionist policies.