Abstract

The country’s economic woes are deeper now than they ever have been. The urgent need for sensible, growth- and employment-friendly policy responses has never been greater.

Overcoming resistance to policy changes remains an enormous challenge. In a new report, CDE argues for the establishment of a special economic zone (SEZ) at Coega, designed to test the capacity of the economy to create employment in labour-intensive manufacturing exports. Such a zone would offer a somewhat liberalised labour market to firms manufacturing labour-intensive goods for export.

The report – What if South Africa had a special economic zone that was actually special? – presents key findings and recommendations from recent research on the topic which includes a review of international experience.