Economic information that works for you ResearchWeeklyCommentsResearch NotesAd-Hoc researchS.E.EStellenbosch Working Paper SeriesNDP Assessment Report (Archive) 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 Crypto: much ado about nothing or something that will change the world? Last updated: Dec 10 2021 10:00AM The introduction of a new era of crypto assets was launched with little fanfare in 2008 when bitcoin.org was registered. Subsequently, both in terms of volume and value, the crypto asset market has exploded, with a market capitalization approaching $3 read moreThe introduction of a new era of crypto assets was launched with little fanfare in 2008 when bitcoin.org was registered. Subsequently, both in terms of volume and value, the crypto asset market has exploded, with a market capitalization approaching $3 trillion. This note explores the current state of affairs and the likely regulatory changes to ensure continued development and innovation in this volatile but exciting sector. SA’s municipal challenges and their impact on local economic development Last updated: Oct 15 2021 8:45AM The upcoming local elections put municipal performance under the spotlight. This BER Research Note explores some of the underlying problems that contribute to local government failure and the poor state of service delivery in many municipalities. Without the read moreThe upcoming local elections put municipal performance under the spotlight. This BER Research Note explores some of the underlying problems that contribute to local government failure and the poor state of service delivery in many municipalities. Without the infrastructure and basic services that municipalities should provide, local economic development is likely to remain constrained. This makes it more difficult to broaden economic participation and reverse South Africa’s unemployment trend. The changing landscape of sustainable finance Last updated: Aug 10 2021 10:15AM The global climate effects of rising carbon emissions are fast becoming too costly to ignore. More information and greater disclosure of climate and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks may help to mitigate some of its impacts. This BER read moreThe global climate effects of rising carbon emissions are fast becoming too costly to ignore. More information and greater disclosure of climate and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks may help to mitigate some of its impacts. This BER Research Note explores how climate change might affect financial stability and how trends in sustainable finance could help respond to the associated threats and opportunities. The BER’s Inflation Expectations Surveys: Findings from Academic Research Last updated: Jul 1 2021 1:18PM Inflation expectations are today keenly monitored by both the private sector and policy makers. Expectations matter, but whose expectations matter and how should this unobservable be measured? The first note considers the local context within which the BER read moreInflation expectations are today keenly monitored by both the private sector and policy makers. Expectations matter, but whose expectations matter and how should this unobservable be measured? The first note considers the local context within which the BER surveys were originally designed and details some of the survey design choices made. In a second research note, we review the academic literature that has made use of the BER’s inflation expectations survey data. The BER’s Inflation Expectations Surveys: Know your data Last updated: Jul 1 2021 1:16PM Inflation expectations are today keenly monitored by both the private sector and policy makers. Expectations matter, but whose expectations matter and how should this unobservable be measured? The first note considers the local context within which the BER read moreInflation expectations are today keenly monitored by both the private sector and policy makers. Expectations matter, but whose expectations matter and how should this unobservable be measured? The first note considers the local context within which the BER surveys were originally designed and details some of the survey design choices made. In a second research note, we review the academic literature that has made use of the BER’s inflation expectations survey data. Understanding and forecasting tender prices in South Africa Last updated: Mar 1 2021 11:57AM This note discusses the main drivers of tender price growth as measured by the BER Building Cost Index. In addition, a brief background of the BER BCI is provided as well as some insight into the effect of the building cycle on tender prices. The report ends read moreThis note discusses the main drivers of tender price growth as measured by the BER Building Cost Index. In addition, a brief background of the BER BCI is provided as well as some insight into the effect of the building cycle on tender prices. The report ends with a forecast of the BER BCI using a purpose-built econometric model and the latest BER macroeconomic forecast. SA fiscal woes and default risk: A global perspective Last updated: Feb 17 2021 3:51PM A global overview of successful fiscal consolidations suggests that SA’s aggressive expenditure-based consolidation strategy ticks a number of boxes. The concern is implementation. Failure to execute the plan risks a fiscal crisis in the next five years. read moreA global overview of successful fiscal consolidations suggests that SA’s aggressive expenditure-based consolidation strategy ticks a number of boxes. The concern is implementation. Failure to execute the plan risks a fiscal crisis in the next five years.
(Archive) 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 Crypto: much ado about nothing or something that will change the world? Last updated: Dec 10 2021 10:00AM The introduction of a new era of crypto assets was launched with little fanfare in 2008 when bitcoin.org was registered. Subsequently, both in terms of volume and value, the crypto asset market has exploded, with a market capitalization approaching $3 read moreThe introduction of a new era of crypto assets was launched with little fanfare in 2008 when bitcoin.org was registered. Subsequently, both in terms of volume and value, the crypto asset market has exploded, with a market capitalization approaching $3 trillion. This note explores the current state of affairs and the likely regulatory changes to ensure continued development and innovation in this volatile but exciting sector. SA’s municipal challenges and their impact on local economic development Last updated: Oct 15 2021 8:45AM The upcoming local elections put municipal performance under the spotlight. This BER Research Note explores some of the underlying problems that contribute to local government failure and the poor state of service delivery in many municipalities. Without the read moreThe upcoming local elections put municipal performance under the spotlight. This BER Research Note explores some of the underlying problems that contribute to local government failure and the poor state of service delivery in many municipalities. Without the infrastructure and basic services that municipalities should provide, local economic development is likely to remain constrained. This makes it more difficult to broaden economic participation and reverse South Africa’s unemployment trend. The changing landscape of sustainable finance Last updated: Aug 10 2021 10:15AM The global climate effects of rising carbon emissions are fast becoming too costly to ignore. More information and greater disclosure of climate and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks may help to mitigate some of its impacts. This BER read moreThe global climate effects of rising carbon emissions are fast becoming too costly to ignore. More information and greater disclosure of climate and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks may help to mitigate some of its impacts. This BER Research Note explores how climate change might affect financial stability and how trends in sustainable finance could help respond to the associated threats and opportunities. The BER’s Inflation Expectations Surveys: Findings from Academic Research Last updated: Jul 1 2021 1:18PM Inflation expectations are today keenly monitored by both the private sector and policy makers. Expectations matter, but whose expectations matter and how should this unobservable be measured? The first note considers the local context within which the BER read moreInflation expectations are today keenly monitored by both the private sector and policy makers. Expectations matter, but whose expectations matter and how should this unobservable be measured? The first note considers the local context within which the BER surveys were originally designed and details some of the survey design choices made. In a second research note, we review the academic literature that has made use of the BER’s inflation expectations survey data. The BER’s Inflation Expectations Surveys: Know your data Last updated: Jul 1 2021 1:16PM Inflation expectations are today keenly monitored by both the private sector and policy makers. Expectations matter, but whose expectations matter and how should this unobservable be measured? The first note considers the local context within which the BER read moreInflation expectations are today keenly monitored by both the private sector and policy makers. Expectations matter, but whose expectations matter and how should this unobservable be measured? The first note considers the local context within which the BER surveys were originally designed and details some of the survey design choices made. In a second research note, we review the academic literature that has made use of the BER’s inflation expectations survey data. Understanding and forecasting tender prices in South Africa Last updated: Mar 1 2021 11:57AM This note discusses the main drivers of tender price growth as measured by the BER Building Cost Index. In addition, a brief background of the BER BCI is provided as well as some insight into the effect of the building cycle on tender prices. The report ends read moreThis note discusses the main drivers of tender price growth as measured by the BER Building Cost Index. In addition, a brief background of the BER BCI is provided as well as some insight into the effect of the building cycle on tender prices. The report ends with a forecast of the BER BCI using a purpose-built econometric model and the latest BER macroeconomic forecast. SA fiscal woes and default risk: A global perspective Last updated: Feb 17 2021 3:51PM A global overview of successful fiscal consolidations suggests that SA’s aggressive expenditure-based consolidation strategy ticks a number of boxes. The concern is implementation. Failure to execute the plan risks a fiscal crisis in the next five years. read moreA global overview of successful fiscal consolidations suggests that SA’s aggressive expenditure-based consolidation strategy ticks a number of boxes. The concern is implementation. Failure to execute the plan risks a fiscal crisis in the next five years.