Tag: trade

The updated South African National Budget for 2025, tabled on 12 March, tries to balance the need to address the country's fiscal challenges. At the same time, it aims to stimulate economic growth and improve public services. Over and above these priorities, it also balances political pressure from the Government of National Unity (GNU).

For any business involved in local or global trade, a robust supply chain is key to sustainable success. The simple reality is that trade disruptions come in many forms, from natural disasters and geopolitical crises, to trade conflicts and even pandemics; and in all these scenarios, a strong supply chain is required to keep a business running, avoid losses, and retain its edge over the competition.

The Gauteng High Court recently dismissed the appeal of Unitrans Holdings (Unitrans) against the Tax Court judgment which had denied a tax deduction for interest incurred. The court found that the interest incurred was not closely connected to Unitrans’ business operations as an investment holding company and that the purpose of the interest was not to produce income but to further the interests of the subsidiaries.

Three decades into our constitutional democracy, the remnants of our dark past continue to lurk in the layered echelons of our unequal society. In commemoration of Freedom Day, we are reminded that though blood was shed and sacrifices were made to attain this freedom, not all South Africans are privy to its gains. Many South Africans are politically free yet economically poor.

In February this year, South Africa was greylisted by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) because of its failure to comply with its standards and measures to combat illicit financial flows, terrorist funding and potential threats to the integrity of the global financial system. This step is the consequence of the endemic corruption, generally referred to as “state capture” which has long prevailed in the country.

An interview with Ewadele Butler, Senior Associate, Hogan Lovells US and Dr Ivor Blumenthal, CEO, ArkKonsult, discussing the Better Utilisation of Investments Leading to Development Act, or the BUILD Act, which President Trump signed into law in October 2018. This legislation is set to increase investment into the continent, in a bid to counter the narrative that China’s influence in Africa is rising, while the US falls off with its ‘America first’ approach.

Tension between the two economic giants in the world, China and the United States (US), might have a silver lining for Africa. The administration of president Donald Trump is set to increase investment into the continent, in a bid to counter the narrative that China's influence in Africa is rising, while the US falls off with its 'America first' approach.

Does anyone think Americans would be richer if each of the fifty states had restrictions on trade with the other states? That's the interesting question that Martin Wolf, Associate Editor at the Financial Times, asks in his book Why Globalization Works.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has released its second Trade Finance in Africa survey report: “Trade Finance in Africa: Overcoming Challenges”. Building on the...

If Africa wants to change how it trades with the rest of the world, it needs to start by rethinking how it trades with itself. Without urgent improvement, Africa risks remaining a supplier of solely primary materials to which others add value. But to succeed in moving higher up the global value chain, Africa will first need to develop efficient local and regional supply chains to facilitate higher levels of trade within the continent itself.