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21. Competition and Trade Policy: The Case of the Botswana Poultry Industry

Author:
Masedi Motswapong and Roman Grynberg
Publication Date:
09-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
The poultry sector is the most successful example of import substitution in Botswana with the country having achieved national self sufficiency. The paper describes the value chain in the industry and shows how, given the small size of the market, a high degree of market concentration exists. There is an estimate of the loss of consumer surplus from the current trade regime. The paper raises issues regarding the fundamental tension between competition and industrial policy in a small developing country. As the larger firms in the poultry industry move towards export readiness after 32 years of protection, the question of a new trade and industry regime is considered.
Topic:
Development, Economics, Economic Development, Trade Policy, Strategic Competition, and Industry
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

22. Factors Affecting Botswana's Competitiveness

Author:
Grace G. Tabengwa
Publication Date:
11-2011
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
The World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with the Botswana National Productivity Centre (BNPC) has on the 7th of September launched the 2011/12 Global Competiveness Report (GCR) which provides country- wide rankings on the competitiveness for a set of 142 nations so far (appended list). Since its introduction in 2005, the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) has been used by an increasing number of countries and institutions to benchmark national competitiveness. The index is based on a survey questionnaire instrument administered to business entities and actual country data for a number of indicators of competitiveness. This brief note, therefore, examines Botswana’s competitive position and implications in light of the rankings Botswana attained from the 2011/12 GCR and earlier years. The analysis provides a comparison of Botswana’s performance and those of other countries on the key pillars and core indicators that inform the overall rankings to identify areas where Botswana has strengths and weaknesses in as far as competitiveness is concerned. The indicators which impact adversely on Botswana’s competitiveness and the overall performance of the pillars are fl agged (*) so that they are given emphasis in the reforms and strategies to improve competitiveness. This should inform policy dialogue and strategic decision making with insight on areas that should form the agenda for strategic intervention to address factors that continue to undermine Botswana’s competitiveness.
Topic:
Development, Economic Growth, and Economic Competition
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

23. The Challenges Of Groundwater In Southern Africa

Author:
Anthony Turton
Publication Date:
01-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The Wilson Center
Abstract:
It is impossible to understand the developmental constraints of Africa without grasping the significance of water resources, particularly groundwater. Southern Africa faces potentially severe groundwater shortages, which not only imperil the lives of those directly dependent on it, but also the continued development of the economic engines of the region—South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe—all of which face significant constraints on their future economic growth due to the insecurity of water supply. In addition, groundwater resources are the foundation of rural water supplies, which sustain livelihoods for the poorest of the poor communities.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Security, Development, and Environment
Political Geography:
Africa, South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana

24. Institutions and Economic Performance in Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Mauritius

Author:
Julius Kiiza
Publication Date:
07-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
This paper examines the relationship between institution building and economic performance in Mauritius, Botswana and Uganda. The rationale for comparing these cases is simple. While the three have been super-economic stars in their own right, they have achieved substantially different outcomes. Mauritius has achieved Asia-type rapid growth, backed by the structural transformation of the economy from colonial commodity production (sugar) to postcolonial higher value-added industrial and information outcomes. Botswana has delivered rapid and sustained growth with no structural economic transformation. Uganda has attained rapid growth for a shorter postcolonial period (since 1992) and with no structural transformation. This paper contends that these cross-national differences largely arise from the presence of developmental nationalism plus Weberian bureaucracies in Mauritius and Botswana, and their absence in Uganda.
Topic:
Development, Economics, and Nationalism
Political Geography:
Uganda, Africa, Mauritius, and Botswana

25. Export Diversification: Is it Really Necessary for Botswana?

Author:
Joel Sentsho
Publication Date:
12-2006
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
Even though Botswana gained independence as a very poor country in 1966, over the last three decades the country has risen to the level of a middle income developing country. The country’s GDP growth averaged about 9 percent over the fi rst three decades of independence and was thus comparable to that of the East Asian Tigers. Perhaps the only disadvantage with this impressive growth is that it was and continues to be fuelled by the primary sector, particularly diamond mining, although copper/nickel and beef were also important in the earlier years. As early as 1982, the Government of Botswana recognized that dependence on a narrow range of exports was undesirable and could have adverse long-term consequences, and that export diversifi cation was necessary. However, despite numerous policies aimed at achieving export diversifi cation, it appears that there has not been much success, and while sustained high rates of economic growth have been achieved this has remained dependent upon the primary export sector, mainly diamonds. This raises fundamental questions: Is export diversification really necessary for Botswana? Could Botswana not continue into the future and achieve the ideals of Vision 2016 through continued primary export growth? These questions will form the focus of this policy brief. The main objective of this Policy Brief is to explore the reasons why Botswana continues to pursue the export diversifi cation strategy in spite of its limited success over the years. The Policy Brief is based on the BIDPA-World Bank study entitled “Diversifying Botswana’s Exports: An Overview”, fi nalized in July 2005, which argues strongly that export diversifi cation still needs to be pursued by Botswana. This policy brief will summarise the reasons advanced by the study for the pursuit of export diversification and make recommendations on the way forward.
Topic:
Development, Economy, Diversification, and Exports
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

26. Trade policy differentiation between developing countries under GSP schemes

Author:
Arne Melchior
Publication Date:
09-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract:
The paper reviews options with respect to differentiation between beneficiaries of GSP (tariff preferences for developing countries). It has for a long time been accepted that the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) may be treated better than other developing countries, but a recent WTO dispute indicates that discrimination beyond this is possible if it is based on objective criteria related to development. The paper discusses GSP differentiation in the light of this, and argues that the most generous preferences are given to a wider group of countries than the LDCs. A main reason is that LDCs constitute a small part of the developing world, and 4/5 of the world's poor live outside the LDCs. Preferences for the poorest should not become an obstacle for improved market access for the “second poorest”. The paper discusses possible reforms in Norway's GSP systems in this light. According to objective criteria, the special position of Botswana and Namibia in Norway's current GSP system could be questioned, since e.g. Botswana is now an upper middle income country.
Topic:
Development, International Cooperation, International Trade and Finance, and Third World
Political Geography:
Botswana

27. Indigenous to Indigenous Cooperation

Author:
Axel Borchgrevink
Publication Date:
08-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract:
The Norwegian section of the Saami Council has been cooperating with two indigenous organizations in Africa since 2002: the Organization of Indigenous Peoples of Africa, based in Tanzania, and the First People of the Kalahari, in Botswana. The report evaluates this cooperation. It concludes that both organizations are potentially very relevant, but that for different reasons, the full potential has not been reached. Recommendations for how to strengthen the work are given.
Topic:
Development and International Cooperation
Political Geography:
Africa, Europe, Tanzania, and Botswana