BER Research Notes
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: 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.
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.
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.
How high-speed internet can help grow the South African economy during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Last updated: Aug 20 2020 8:37AM
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
Last updated: Jun 29 2020 9:39AM
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?
Last updated: Jun 3 2020 8:29AM
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.
COVID-19: The impact on the South African tourism industry
Last updated: May 18 2020 2:50PM
Under normal circumstances, the tourism industry is an important driver of growth and job creation in the South African (SA) economy. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic effectively brought all domestic and inbound tourism to a standstill and is expected to
read moreUnder normal circumstances, the tourism industry is an important driver of growth and job creation in the South African (SA) economy. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic effectively brought all domestic and inbound tourism to a standstill and is expected to result in massive job and revenue losses in this industry.