Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies Forum 2024

Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), in partnership with DSI/NRF South African Research Chair in Industrial Development (SARChI), the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (the dtic) and ABSA Bank, invites you to the 2024 Annual TIPS Forum with the theme Small Business, Inclusive Growth and Industrial Policy in South Africa.

The 2024 TIPS Forum seeks to deepen understanding of the small business sector in South Africa, how it is evolving, and the implications for industrial policy. The future of small business is core to an inclusive industrial policy in South Africa. Far fewer people earn livelihoods from their own businesses in South Africa than in other upper-middle-income countries. That reality is a core factor behind unusually high joblessness as well as deep inequalities in income and ownership. Industrial policy aimed at inclusive industrialisation must therefore seek a step change in the number of small businesses.

The Forum will discuss the systemic obstacles to the growth of small businesses in South Africa, and strategies for scaling up support and strengthening small business development as part of inclusive industrialisation. In doing so, the Forum will encourage discussion that considers the challenges and opportunities of the small business sector and inclusive industrialisation.

Click here to register.