BER Research Notes
Crypto: much ado about nothing or something that will change the world?
Date Uploaded: Dec 10 2021 10:30AM
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
Date Uploaded: 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
Date Uploaded: Aug 10 2021 11:00AM
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: Know your data
Date Uploaded: Jul 1 2021 2:00PM
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: Findings from Academic Research
Date Uploaded: Jul 1 2021 2:00PM
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
Date Uploaded: Mar 1 2021 1:00PM
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
Date Uploaded: Feb 17 2021 4:15PM
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.
How high-speed internet can help grow the South African economy during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Date Uploaded: Aug 20 2020 9:00AM
There is a large and growing body of evidence that suggests that ICT and connectivity have a positive impact on economic growth. In a world that is increasingly moving into cyberspace, the global COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated online business and social
read moreThere is a large and growing body of evidence that suggests that ICT and connectivity have a positive impact on economic growth. In a world that is increasingly moving into cyberspace, the global COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated online business and social activity. Unfortunately, this means that those who remain unconnected to the internet are unable to partake in the opportunities that this digital transformation creates and nurtures. To prevent South Africa’s digital divide from worsening the country’s already stark economic inequality, policy makers and regulators need to enable a favourable investment environment.
The right mix: Price and technological development in South Africa's energy grid optimisation
Date Uploaded: Jun 29 2020 10:00AM
The cost of generating electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar power has declined sharply in recent years. There is much evidence to suggest that these costs have become competitive to coal-fired electricity. Optimising the electricity system
read moreThe cost of generating electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar power has declined sharply in recent years. There is much evidence to suggest that these costs have become competitive to coal-fired electricity. Optimising the electricity system means that the financial and environmental costs of different forms of energy generation need to be considered, while accommodating variation in demand. This research note shows that based on recent cost trends in renewable energy and the expectation of further cost declines, it might well be cost-effective to include even more of these sources into South Africa’s future energy mix than what is proposed in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2019).
A South African Sovereign Wealth Fund: A Century Too Late or Instrument of Reform?
Date Uploaded: Jun 3 2020 8:35AM
It is difficult to see where the money for a sovereign wealth fund could possibly come from in the period of fiscal consolidation that lies ahead for South Africa following the COVID-19 pandemic.