Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'African Growth Opportunity Act'

Includes bibliographical references<br>The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a unilateral trade policy concession governing United States - Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) trade and investment relations. AGOA provides United States market access for 40 SSA countries, including South Africa. This piece of legislation has the fundamental objective of facilitating the global integration of SSA countries into the world economy by extending preferential access to the United States market for exporters from eligible countries. Over the past decade, AGOA has emerged as a topical issue as scholars and policy makers sought to understand its impact on SSA, especially South Africa. This has been awarded more impetus given its pending expiration in 2015. This, naturally, raised questions about the performance of United States preference programs (such as AGOA) as part of a larger ongoing debate on the form that United States preference programs may take in the foreseeable future. With South Africa facing a serious opposition to inclusion in the next shape of AGOA given the number of trade agreements South Africa has signed with countries that are competitors to United States in certain product categories. This study will seek to highlight the importance of the AGOA dispensation to South Africa, and through that analysis make a case for the continued inclusion of South Africa in the future trade dispensations that may develop. This study focuses on two research objectives; firstly, the study seeks to assess the extent to which increased preferential access to the United States market has translated into a real and tangible increase in exports from South Africa to the United States. Secondly, the study seeks to identify the areas where South Africa and the United States have high trade potential, and help make a case for inclusion of these high potential trade products in the next iteration of the AGOA dispensation. In achieving the first research objective, the study carried out a detailed trade statistics analysis with the hope of gaining greater understanding of the extent to which AGOA has influenced trade patterns between the United States and South Africa. South Africa's trade figures show that the United States is an important trade partner. A key conclusion that can be drawn from the analysis is the observation that a fair amount of growth in South Africa's exports to the United States is fundamentally characterized by two key aspects namely; growth in specific commodities and an export base that is becoming gradually concentrated over time. This implies that trade between South Africa and the United States is shifting towards a new focus in line with AGOA incentives and by extension one may conclude that South African firms are utilizing the market opportunities and the networks that enable them to effectively exploit the United States market. In fulfilling the second research objective, the detailed trade potential analysis that is propped up by a robust analysis of trade trends was carried out. The trade potential analysis identified thirteen commodity groups as having high potential for further exports into the United States market, and Pearls, precious stones and metals were identified as having the highest indicative trade potential, although the picture changes as the data is further disaggregated. This suggests that there is enormous potential and a great scope for export of pearls, precious stones and metals to the United States.

This thesis uses new measures of value added trade for agricultural exports which originate from Sub-Sahara African (SSA) countries and go to the United States of America (U.S.A.). First, the impact of the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) on SSA?s domestic value-added exports is assessed by using a sectoral structural gravity model. The study then evaluates the AGOA?s effect on the extensive margin and intensive margin of US-SSA value added trade using a Helpman, Melitz, and Rubinstein (2008) (HMR) two-step procedure model. The empirical results show that AGOA has had an insignificant impact on SSA?s agricultural domestic value-added exports to the U.S.A. In addition, being an AGOA recipient does not seem to affect a recipient?s decision to export domestic value-added agricultural products and has had an insignificant impact on the volume of agricultural domestic value-added exports to the U.S.A.

Several studies have examined the relationship between trade liberalisation policies, economic growth and development. These existing studies have in many ways overlooked the role played by Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) since its inception as early as 2000. This study attempts to highlight and evaluate the role of AGOA within a South African economy context through the use of inductive quantitative research technique. The auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) framework was used in the bound testing cointegration process, which enabled the researcher to obtain the current impact on trade liberalisation and economic growth under AGOA in South Africa. Since the study used ARDL to test AGOA benefits in human capital, capital investment, unemployment rate and trade liberation means of finding interchanging of ideas between South Africa and United State of America and importantly the improved economic growth. The results showed no improvement in human capital, stagnant unemployment rate, no evidence of South Africa economy transformed into knowledge based economy; the transfer of investment in South Africa through AGOA legislation does not show an improving economy and this could be coursed by the tertiary sector growing faster relative to other sectors. The study concludes that the AGOA deals must at least ensure the USA firms are opening new branches in South Africa which will create new jobs and with the outcome of the production of goods and services which will directly increase the demand of highly skilled work force.

Rapid and sustainable economic growth and progressive social and spatial development through industrial development, has been a persistent challenge for the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A commonly held “solution” to this challenge has been to provide access of manufactured goods from the SSA-region to the dynamic markets of the affluent North. This perceived wisdom led to the passing of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2000 by the 200th Congress of the United States of America. In this exploratory study, the experience of Lesotho with AGOA, with specific reference to the economic and spatial development outcomes of the Act in the country, is explored. The findings of the study reveal that the larger settlements where the AGOA-factories are located have shown little improvement, neither from an economic, nor from a spatial perspective. The same applied to villages to which AGOA factory workers sent their remittances. This was due to the meagreness of the remittances – a function of the low wages paid in the factories and the resulting limited disposable income to support small-scale businesses in these villages. While AGOA did result in the creation of tens of thousands of job opportunities for unskilled and semi-skilled Basotho youth, it did not provide them with portable skills for use after leaving the factory floor. AGOA was also not found to have motivated the youth or local entrepreneurs to tap into the manufacturing sector. On the spatial development side, a number of landlords in the larger settlements subdivided their land and built residential rental units for the factory workers. Some landlords also sold their land illegally and informally, resulting in haphazard land development. The research findings suggest that, while “trade and development boosting tools”, like AGOA, may be useful in providing term-based job opportunities for unskilled workforce, they will most likely not have as significant a positive impact on (1) the local economy, (2) the creation of an indigenous industrial class, or (3) the building of sustainable human settlements. Other supporting instruments, in addition to tools such as AGOA, will need to be developed locally, to achieve these goals. In addition to the research findings providing an insight into the experience of Lesotho with AGOA, they should also be of assistance to scholars and policy-makers working on the development of trade-driven tools in support of struggling regions.<br>Dissertation (Masters)--University of Pretoria, 2016.<br>Mandela Rhodes Foundation<br>Town and Regional Planning<br>MASTER OF TOWN AND REGIONAL PLANNING (RESEARCH)<br>unrestricted

Rapid and sustainable economic growth and progressive social and spatial development through industrial development, has been a persistent challenge for the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A commonly held "solution" to this challenge has been to provide access of manufactured goods from the SSA-region to the dynamic markets of the affluent North. This perceived wisdom led to the passing of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2000 by the 200th Congress of the United States of America. In this exploratory study, the experience of Lesotho with AGOA, with specific reference to the economic and spatial development outcomes of the Act in the country, is explored. The findings of the study reveal that the larger settlements where the AGOA-factories are located have shown little improvement, neither from an economic, nor from a spatial perspective. The same applied to villages to which AGOA factory workers sent their remittances. This was due to the meagreness of the remittances a function of the low wages paid in the factories and the resulting limited disposable income to support small-scale businesses in these villages. While AGOA did result in the creation of tens of thousands of job opportunities for unskilled and semi-skilled Basotho youth, it did not provide them with portable skills for use after leaving the factory floor. AGOA was also not found to have motivated the youth or local entrepreneurs to tap into the manufacturing sector. On the spatial development side, a number of landlords in the larger settlements subdivided their land and built residential rental units for the factory workers. Some landlords also sold their land illegally and informally, resulting in haphazard land development. The research findings suggest that, while "trade and development boosting tools", like AGOA, may be useful in providing term-based job opportunities for unskilled workforce, they will most likely not have as significant a positive impact on (1) the local economy, (2) the creation of an indigenous industrial class, or (3) the building of sustainable human settlements. Other supporting instruments, in addition to tools such as AGOA, will need to be developed locally, to achieve these goals. In addition to the research findings providing an insight into the experience of Lesotho with AGOA, they should also be of assistance to scholars and policy-makers working on the development of trade-driven tools in support of struggling regions.<br>Dissertation (MTRP)--University of Pretoria, 2017.<br>Town and Regional Planning<br>MTRP<br>Unrestricted

Magister Legum - LLM<br>Over the past decade countries have embraced globalisation. The depth and influence of globalisation has grown significantly since the 19th century. Globalisation has accelerated mainly due to increased integration in trade with bilateral, regional and multilateral trade negotiations on the rise. Multinational companies have also enlarged which enable production to be done seamlessly in different countries, increase in capital flows such as purchase of assets and bonds has also contributed. Furthermore, the surge on technological innovations and advancement cannot be ignored when one speaks of globalisation this era has been dubbed the technological era additionally there is also the role of migration which enhances labor movements. The world has rapidly shrunk to one global economy. After the World War II countries began to move away from protectionism to liberalised trade and this resulted in the formation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) then the World Trade Organisation (WTO) which is comprised of 164-member states. The WTO regulates trade and promotes free trade. Over the years the organisation has been evolving to deal with issues such as climate and technical assistance. Global trade presents challenges which may give rise to the need for countries to protect their domestic industries for political and economic reasons.

Includes bibliographical references.<br>The introduction of the African Growth and Opportunity Act agreements between the Government of the United States of America and eligible Sub-Saharan countries has helped to highlight the shortcomings of labour laws in certain African states. These shortcomings are particularly evident in the textiles and clothing industries of these developing African countries. Provisions were created by the act for eligible African countries to export products duty free to American markets. One of the products exported by Africa states are textiles. This research aims to examine the shortcomings and benefits of labour laws of South Africa and Lesotho, two countries who have been granted access for their textile exports into the United States of America. An examination will also be done of the labour laws in China and Taiwan as predominant investors and owners in the apparel industries of South Africa and Lesotho where labour disputes have arisen between the Asian factory owners and local staff. The research indicates that irrespective of geographic location, garment workers’ labour rights are neglected the world over, (especially those of women) and that multinational corporations deliberately seek to subcontract garments from those countries with less labour regulation in order to source products cheaply.

Magister Legum - LLM<br>The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is the only global international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations.1 The WTO agreements uphold certain principles; one such principle is the rule of the most-favoured-nation (MFN) obligation. This obligation requires WTO members, who grant certain favourable treatment to any given country, to grant that same favourable treatment to all other WTO members.2 However, there are several exceptions, three of which include:  actions taken against dumping (selling at an unfairly low price);  subsidies and special ‘countervailing’ duties to offset the subsidies; and  emergency measures, to limit imports temporarily - thus designed to ‘safeguard’ domestic industries. These exceptions serve as remedies both against fair - and unfair trade practices. An example of remedies against fair trade practices are safeguards, and examples of remedies against unfair trade practices are dumping and countervailing duties. Anti-dumping actions are trade remedies/mechanisms available to members of the WTO in facilitating the protection of the industries under certain circumstances. The WTO agreement, which sets out the anti-dumping remedy, is the agreement on the implementation of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT 1994), also known as the ‘Anti-dumping Agreement’.4 Article VI permits countries to take action against dumping and the ‘Anti-dumping Agreement’ clarifies and expands on Article VI. The two operate together. Dumping is viewed as price discrimination between the domestic and export markets and take place where the export price of a product is lower than the normal value of such product. The normal value is usually determined with reference to the domestic selling price in the exporting country. Adjustments have to be made to the normal value and export price for differences that affect prices at the time that such prices are set, including differences in terms and conditions of sale, taxations, levels of trade and quantities.

Exporting is a popular mode of internationalisation for a variety of reasons. For instance, many enterprises prefer exporting because it permits them to learn from competition with minimum resources committed by the enterprise. However, it is noted in literature that enterprises face various constraints when exporting. Earlier studies, mostly conducted in developed countries, have documented several exporting constraints. The studies do not agree on the grouping of factors constraining exporting and elements that form such groupings. Also, it is acknowledged in literature that generalising findings from developed countries to developing countries would not necessarily be appropriate, hence studies in developing countries such as Lesotho are necessary and, to the researcher’s knowledge, this study is the first to be conducted in Lesotho. This formal study, therefore, was carried out to test the hypotheses developed from literature regarding factors that constrain exporting. Lesotho is land locked, being completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is believed that Lesotho’s setting can bring insights into exporting as the country becomes a popular destination for export-oriented investors. Although enterprises operating in Lesotho had been exporting prior to 2000, there was a major boost of exports at the beginning of 2000 when Lesotho became eligible for exports to the United States, Canada and European markets under the agreement in the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA). The AGOA agreement brought a flow of Asian export-oriented investors into Lesotho. Lesotho’s exports are concentrated in the apparel and textile industries and are destined to a few countries, predominantly South Africa and the United States. The literature review covers the globalisation of the business environment. Further, the international entry modes are discussed along with the theories that explain the decision of the enterprises to initiate the internationalisation process. Finally, the exporting mode of internationalisation is discussed detailing the constraints that enterprises face when engaging in exporting. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The instrument first underwent a rigorous evaluation by experts who are knowledgeable about the subject. The experts proposed changes that were adopted prior to conducting a pilot study. A judgemental sampling approach was used where manufacturing enterprises located in seven of ten industrial areas in Lesotho, who agreed to participate in the study, were issued one questionnaire each. The questionnaires were distributed to key informants who were regarded as managers directly responsible for international operations. Alternatively, chief executive officers were approached in situations where enterprises did not employ international operation’s managers. A response rate of 94.7 percent was obtained. The study revealed that exporting constraints are internal to the enterprises and that three factors, as opposed to the five that were hypothesised, constrain exporting. The study further revealed that perceived exporting constraints varied according to the size of the enterprise as well as the ownership structure thereof. Recommendations were made relating to actions aimed at minimizing exporting constraints. Lastly, future areas of research were identified. The study will be beneficial to enterprises as they will be able to adopt suitable measures to overcome or reduce the impact of exporting constraints. Also, the study will inform policy makers in Lesotho with regards to areas where appropriate assistance should be provided. In addition, the study would inform business educators regarding areas of training for exporters, which will address the training needs of exporters. Lastly, researchers interested in exporting will find other avenues that can be researched in order to build the field of exporting.<br>Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012.<br>am2013<br>Business Management<br>unrestricted

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study sets out to analyse the trade performance of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to determine the lessons that can be learnt from it strengths and weaknesses with the purpose to assist future trade negotiations - and specifically the current free trade negotiations between the United States of America (USA) and the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU). A short overview of AGOA's content is given with specific reference to the many rules and regulations governing the arrangement. AGOA's trade performance over the past four years is analysed by country and sector to determine the main recipients of its benefits with specific attention to the performance of SACU countries. AGOA's strengths and opportunities are discussed by looking at the impact that AGOA had on investment and job creation in Southern Africa. The study takes a closer look at new markets that benefited from AGOA and how well SACU made use of the non-reciprocal nature of AGOA by looking at the trade balance with the USA. The weaknesses of AGOA are analysed by looking at its nature - the fact that it is a nonnegotiated arrangement with benefits that can be terminated at any point. The failure of AGOA to address non-tariff barriers is discussed by looking at the impact of subsidies, quotas, threat of anti-dumping actions and its restrictive rules and regulations. The unsustainability of the substantial growth that the clothing and textile industries experienced under AGOA is considered by looking at the Multi-Fibre Agreement and the impact that its termination had up to now on especially SACU countries. The analysis of AGOA's trade performance highlighted the fact that only a few countries and products benefited from AGOA. The study deliberates AGOA's failure to liberalise Southern Africa's exports. The knowledge gained by analysing AGOA, its trade performance with specifically SACU, and its strengths and weaknesses are applied by looking at the current US free trade proposal with SACU. The study looks at the motivations for the free trade agreement from both a US and SACU point of view and continues to analyse the content of the proposed agreement. The analysis includes the various problem areas within the proposed agreement as well as the potential benefits that such an agreement can bring about. The study concludes with a summary of the lessons learnt from AGOA and how they apply to the proposed US free trade agreement as well as future trade negotiations.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie poog om die resultate van die "African Growth and Opportunity Act" (AGOA) oor die afgelope vier jaar te ontleed met die doel om die sterk en swakpunte van die handelsverdrag te beklemtoon as basis vir toekomstige handelsooreenkomste. Daar word spesifiek verwys na die handelsooreenkoms wat tans beding word tussen die Verenigde State van Amerika (VSA) en die "South African Customs Union" (SACU). Die studie gee 'n kort opsomming van die inhoud van AGOA met spesifieke verwysing na die verskeie reëls en regulasies wat die ooreenkoms onderskryf. Die resultate van die afgelope vier jaar word ontleed per land en sektor om vas te stel watter lande en produkte die meeste voordeel getrek het onder AGOA. Weereens word daar spesifiek na SACU se resultate verwys. AGOA se sterkpunte word bespreek deur na die impak te kyk op investering en werkskepping in Suider Afrika. Die studie kyk na nuwe marksgeleenthede wat voordeel getrek het onder AGOA. Daar word ook gekyk hoe goed SACU van die nie-wederkerige natuur van AGOA gebruik gemaak het deur te verwys na die handelsbalans tussen SACU en die VSA. Die swakpunte van AGOA word bespreek deur te kyk na AGOA se inherente kenmerke, byvoorbeeld dat die "ooreenkoms" nie onderhandel is nie en dat voordele te enige tyd opgeskort mag word. Daar word ook gekyk na AGOA se gebrek om nie-tarief gedrewe handelsstruikelblokke in die vorm van subsidies, kwotas, die bedreiging van aksies teen handelsstorting en die impak van die vele reëls en regulasies aan te spreek. Die onvolhoubaarheid van groei binne die tekstiel en kledingsbedryf (wat merkbare sukses onder AGOA bereik het) as gevolg van die terminasie van die "Multi-Fibre Agreement" word bespreek - met spesifieke verwysing na die impak op Suider Afrika. Die analise van AGOA se handelsresultate het uitgewys dat slegs 'n handjie-vol lande en produkte by AGOA baat gevind het. Die studie oorweeg die moontlike redes wat gelei het tot hierdie verskynsel. Die kennis wat opgedoen is deur na AGOA se handelsresultate te kyk, asook sy sterk- en swakpunte te ontleed, word aangewend deur na die huidige VS handelsooreenkoms met SACU the kyk. Die studie oorweeg die motiverings vir so 'n handelsooreenkoms van beide 'n VS en SACU oogpunt en maak ook 'n ontleding van die inhoud van die ooreenkoms. Die ontleding kyk nie net na die verskeie probleme wat na vore kom nie maar ook na die voordele wat SACU te beurt kan val as gevolg van die oorkoms. Die studie sluit af deur 'n opsomming te maak van die lesse wat geleer is deur die ontleding van AGOA en hoe dit van toepassing is op die huidige VS ooreenkoms asook toekomstige ooreenkomste.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006.<br>The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was signed into law in May 2000 by President Clinton to allow sub-Saharan countries to export designated products duty-free into the US. AGOA is a temporary measure that is non-reciprocal and not negotiated by the participating parties. The initiative was launched to liberalise the markets of developing countries on the road to become integrated in the global economy. The initial success of AGOA was limited, with only a few countries making use of AGOA to increase their exports into the US markets. Problems encountered were high levels of protectionism from the US and the existence of technical trade barriers (including sanitary measures in agriculture) and nontariff barriers (including quotas). African countries are using shipment as the main transport for exports, and the US barred transshipment due to corruption that occurred in the past. The AGOA also made provision for 'special provisions' measures to enable AGOA eligible countries to export apparel and textile to the US. The export of apparel was very successful until the Multifibre Agreement expired in 2005, leading to relocation of apparel factories to lower cost bases. The real beneficiaries from AGOA are oil-exporting countries that make up more than 90% of total AGOA benefits. South Africa is the only country who succeeded in diversified AGOA exports. AGOA has been supplemented by AGOA II (extending the product range) and AGOA III (extending the expiry date to 2015). After the EU-SA Free Trade Agreement has been concluded in 1999, the US started with FTA negotiations with the South African Customs Union (SACU) to improve the exposure of US products to the SACU market and to decrease the trade deficit. However, the agenda of the FTA negotiations included second generation issues of intellectual property rights, trade in services, investment and government procurement. The SACU negotiators learnt some lessons from the EU-SA FTA and progress was slow. The extension of AGOA to 2015 saw a decrease in the urgency of striking a SACU-US FTA. Negotiations slowed down and the decision was made in April 2006 to conduct talks on a lower level. This breathing time can be used by the SACU negotiators to develop an aggressive offensive strategy for future negotiations, and to build competency against the efficient and offensive US negotiators. The US-SACU FTA must still be pursued to ensure that the benefits of AGOA are locked in. It will be beneficial for SACU if the different needs for all the SACU countries are addressed and the negotiations are done in incremental steps .

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The SACU bloc, which accounts for one-half of the subcontinent's GDP, is the largest market for the US exports in SSA (Langton, January 2005). Wide differences exist among the economies of SACU - while SA has developed a significant manufacturing and industrial capacity, the other countries remain dependent on agriculture and mineral extraction. The grouping is dominated by SA, which accounts for 87% of the population, and 93% of the GDP of the customs area. SACU member states had a combined real GDP of $201bn in 2003. Services made up 65% of SA Trade in 2003 and had become a major player. In 2003, SACU was the 32nd largest trading partner of the US with two-way trade equivalent \ $7.3bn. Merchandise imports from SACU totaled $5.6bn in 2003, a 17.3% increase from 2002 and a 126% increase from 1996. They were composed of minerals such as platinum, diamonds, and titanium, textiles and apparel, vehicles, and automotive parts. Major US exports to the region include aircraft, vehicles, computers, and construction and agricultural equipment. Services trade between the US and SA has increased dramatically for both countries, with US exports increasing 154% and service imports from SA increasing by 383% respectively since 1992. The stock of US FDI in SA totaled $3.9bn in 2003 and was centered around manufacturing chemicals and services. The main economic objective of FTAs is to reduce trade barriers between member countries and liberalize trade and investment rules (Kanoute, November 2005). This improves market access which is the key to foreign export earnings and investment. But market access is a door that swings both ways, opening local markets to a flood of imports. This can undermine domestic production and employment, and thus exacerbate poverty. Some US civil society organizations have expressed concern that a SACU FTA could have negative consequences for poor Southern Africans, citing potential adjustment costs for import-competing farmers, poor enforcement of labour rights, privatization of utilities, and increased restrictions on importing generic drugs to treat HIV/AIDS (Langton, January 2005). The proposed FTA is ambitious, especially given the tight deadline and the broad range of topics on the negotiating table (Zunckel, Tralac). These include not only tariffs on goods, as is traditional in trade talks, but the wider global economic panoply of agriculture, rules of origin intellectual property, trade in services, investment, government procurement, trade remedies, labour, environmental standards and trade dispute settlement. The US gains reciprocity by gaining improved access to the SACU market than it currently enjoys under AGOA. The IP and "TRIPS plus" provisions are of particular concern to consumers (www.tralac.org.) Ongoing developments at the multilateral level bode against the advisability of entering into binding bilateral agreements with less favourable provisions on essential medicines. Foreign investment could lead to greater industrialization within SACU and competition within local industry, boosting efficiency. But safeguards and industrial policy must be utilized effectively to protect the region's developmental goals. Reliance on domestic courts as the forum of first instance (and state-to-state dispute settlements should those fail) is preferable, as it allows greater possibilities of defending the public interest of SACU citizens over investors' interests (Langton, January 2005). Reaching consensus on negotiating strategy in SACU is no easy feat. Formal negotiations began in June 2003, but talks have made little progress over the past years. The interests of the five different countries, at differing stages of development, have to be reconciled (Draper. 2004). No doubt SA, with its diverse array of interests relative to its BLNS partners in the customs union, will drive this. SACU negotiators, in common with those in many developing countries, have great difficulty in understanding, let alone mobilizing, their services sectors. Hence they have adopted a defensive posture, favouring liberalization only in those (few) sub-sectors that are well understood. SACU has formally accepted an offer made by the US to progress a so-called trade and investment cooperation agreement (TICA). Prior negotiation will be needed among SACU countries, who clearly have an interest in coordinating its negotiation with other US bilateral negotiating partners (Whalley & Leith, December 2003).

L'analyse de l'impact de l'AGOA telle que nous l'avons menée dans cette thèse va au delà de la simple évaluation de l'impact de cette loi sur les échanges commerciaux. Notre travail va donc intégrer l'impact de l'AGOA sur la dynamique de spécialisation, sur la dynamique de politiques économiques et sur la croissance économique des pays éligibles. Nos résultats nous ont montré que la mise en place de l'AGOA a eu un effet positif sur les exportations des pays éligibles. Néanmoins cet effet est apparu plus élevé sur l'augmentation des exportations des produits non traditionnels. Au niveau des instruments de politiques économiques, il est apparu que l'AGOA a eu un effet positif et significatif sur les dépenses publiques et le taux de change réel. En revanche, cet effet est apparu non significatif sur l'ouverture commerciale et sur l'inflation. L'AGOA a également eu un effet positif et significatif sur la croissance de la productivité apparente du travail et sur les investissements directs étrangers (IDE). Mais l'effet de l'AGOA sur les IDE est apparu plus élevé pour les pays producteurs de pétrole. Enfin, nos résultats nous ont montré que la mise en place de l'AGOA n'a pas eu d'influence significative sur la croissance économique des pays éligibles, mais cet effet est variant selon les régions. Grâce à une analyse critique de cette loi, nous avons démontré que pour améliorer l'efficacité de l'AGOA, il faut que cette loi soit plus dynamique, qu'elle réduise ostensiblement l'effet de la taxation progressive et qu'elle mette fin à l'incertitude de durée qui est inhérente à la révision annuelle de la liste des pays éligibles.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates both the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) that was signed into US law in May 2000 and the subsequent US Farm Bill, signed in May 2002. AGOA is a temporary, non-negotiated, non-reciprocal law by the USA to allow dutyfree and quota-free access to almost all products produced in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Many people in SSA are dependant on agriculture to provide employment and livelihood. In the agricultural sector The Farm Bill is a unilateral law by the USA granting enormous subsidies to its farmers for a wide variety of products. It is the purpose of this study to investigate both these laws and to determine whether or not the Farm Bill undermines the objectives of AGOA. AGOA was studied and the real reasons for US interest in SSA determined. The main reason found for the inception of AGOA was US interest in the oil resources of SSA as well as other commodities like precious metals and textiles. The USA is also interested in SSA to find new markets for its own products as it can produce far more food and fibre than it can utilise in its domestic market. The study investigated the potential benefits of AGOA for SSA as well as the real benefits that were realised in the first two and a half years since its inception. It was found in the study that the real benefits were far less than the potential benefits and several reasons are offered for this phenomenon. The trade data between the USA and SSA was analysed to determine the effect of AGOA on trade and the major products traded. It was found that by far the largest product group was in the petroleum sector. The Farm Bill was investigated to determine the provisions of the Bill, the products involved and the conditions for subsidy payments. The payments include direct payments, counter-cyclical payments and marketing loan gains or loan deficiency payments. The detail of the calculation methods for the payments and a sample calculation of the subsidies are given, other provisions of the Farm Bill that apply to specific commodities like sugar and dairy products are also listed as these are important commodities for SSA. The Farm Bill was investigated in terms of AGOA and it was found in the study that the Farm Bill does indeed undermine the objectives of AGOA by reducing commodity prices. Both AGOA and the Farm Bill were further investigated in the context of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to determine their consistency with the rules of the WTO. It was found that AGOA is consistent with the WTO rules, but the subsidies of the Farm Bill are trade distorting and therefore not consistent with these rules. There is a WTO limit set for the US support programmes and it is expected that the payments would exceed the limit during times of low commodity prices.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word beide die 'African Growth and Opportunity Act' (AGOA) wat in Mei 2000 deel van die Amerikaanse wetgewing geword het sowel as die daaropvolgende 'US Farm Bill' wat in Mei 2002 goedgekeur is, ondersoek. AGOA is 'n tydelike, eensydige, nie-wederkerige wet deur Amerika wat tariefvrye en kwotavrye toegang tot die Amerikaanse mark toelaat vir bykans alle produkte wat in Afrika Suid van die Sahara (SSA) geproduseer word. Baie mense in SSA is afhanklik van landbou vir werk om vir hulle families te kan sorg. Dit is juis in die landbousektor waar Amerika die 'Farm Bill' as eensydige wet goedgekeur het wat enorme landbousubsidies vir 'n wye reeks produkte aan sy boere toeken. Die doel van die studie is om beide hierdie wette te ondersoek en vas te stel of die 'Farm Bill' die doelwitte van AGOA ondermyn, al dan nie. AGOA is eerste ondersoek en die werklike redes vir Amerika se belangstelling in SSA is bepaal. Daar is bevind dat die hoofrede vir die ontstaan van AGOA die strategiese belangstelling van Amerika in SSA se olie en ander kommoditeite soos edelmetale en tekstiele is. Amerika stel ook belang in SSA om nuwe markte te vind vir sy eie produkte omdat Amerika baie meer voedsel en vesel kan produseer as wat sy plaaslike mark kan absorbeer. Die studie het die potensiele voordele van AGOA vir SSA asook die werklike voordele wat in die eerste twee en 'n half jaar gerealiseer het, ondersoek. Die studie het getoon dat die werklike voordele baie minder as die potensiele voordele was en verskeie redes word vir die verskynsel aangevoer. Die handelsdata tussen Amerika en SSA is ondersoek om die effek van AGOA op handel asook die hoofhandelsprodukte vas te stel. Die data het getoon dat by verre die grootste produkgroep wat verhandel is, olie en verwante petroleumprodukte is. Die 'Farm Bill' is ondersoek om die bepalings van die wet vas te stel, watter produkte betrokke is en onder watter voorwaardes subsidiebetalings van toepassing is. Hierdie betalings sluit direkte betalings aan boere, wederkerige betalings en bemarkingslenings in. Die detail van die berekeningsmetodes van die verskillende dele van die subsidies asook 'n voorbeeld-berekening word getoon. Ander bepalings van die wetgewing wat van toepassing is op spesifieke kommoditeite soos suiker en suiwel word ook gelys omdat hierdie produkte baie belangrik vir SSA is. Die 'Farm Bill' is ook met betrekking tot AGOA ondersoek en daar is getoon dat die 'Farm Bill' inderdaad die doelwitte van AGOA ondermyn deur die pryse van kommoditeite te laat daal. Beide AGOA en die 'Farm Bill' is verder ondersoek in die konteks van die Wereldhandelsorganisasie (WHO) om vas te stel of elkeen van hierdie wette voldoen aan die handelsreels van die WHO. Daar is bevind dat AGOA wel voldoen aan die WHO reels, maar dat die subsidies van die 'Farm Bill' handel verwring en daarom nie voldoen aan die vereistes van die WHO nie. Daar bestaan 'n WHO-beperking vir Amerika op die hoeveelheid ondersteuning wat aan die boere toegestaan mag word en daar word verwag dat die beperking oorskry kan word in tye van lae kommoditeitspryse.

Combating the effects of the global recession that hampered the economies of various nations has been endeavoured by many governments since 2008. The South African government’s stand to do this shows that it is possible to return the economy back to its glory days, however, the duration of this process of overturning the same is unknown. The government has raised policies and programs, one of which being the New Growth Path (NGP) to combat these effect. This programme, inter alia, calls for increased government expenditure to facilitate job creation through infrastructure development. It is trite economic principles that government expenditure has to be balanced with its revenue collection, otherwise it might lead to budget deficit. Prolonged budget deficit, naturally, is not ideal for a nation’s economy as the same increases government borrowing, results in higher taxes, and affects inflation. While government revenue is mostly financed through taxes, studies show that increasing taxes is also to the detriment for the economy. Therefore, there is a need for disenable policy stand to be taken in respect of the government’s programme, as well as the generation of revenue to support the same. In this regard, one of the ways being advanced by this research in respect of a better combating the recession is to utilise economic legislations enacted in the country. Amongst other economic legislations in South Africa this paper discusses Income Tax Act (SA ITA) (which regulate the persons to pay income taxes) and Competition Act (which regulate fair competition). The focus of this dissertation revolves around the impact competition law remedies have on the income taxation process. The aim of the research is to analyse the possible loopholes in the current legislation that might hamper a government revenue generation to support its new growth path. This was met through an extensive study of relevant literature in competition and income tax laws in South Africa and also comparative analysis with relevant laws of the United States of America (USA). The main conclusion drawn from this research is that there is an impact of the current competition law remedies on the income taxation process. This research promotes and argues for a change in approach, through government enactment of clear and certain laws both in the field of competition law and tax law. This change would assist government in raising revenue more effectively and achieve it economic growth path and, in turn, combat the global economic crisis that affected the economy.<br>Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2012.<br>Mercantile Law<br>unrestricted

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a trade arrangement scheme between the United States of America and eligible sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. It offers nonreciprocal preferential treatment over 7000 products exported from African countries to the US market. AGOA is one among a number of trade preferential schemes that Tanzania is eligible. The Act provides for issues such as but not limited to trade and investment. Tanzania has a history of poor export performance despite the preferential treatment. This legal study examines the existing legal and regulatory framework governing trade and investment in an attempt to identify regulatory weaknesses resulting in Tanzania's poor trade performance. Also, the study indulges in Kenya's experience under AGOA to find whether Tanzania may draw lessons from the country success story under the preferential arrangement. The study then formulates recommendations in view of improving Tanzania's trade enabling framework to increase exports and potentially become a regional trade hub including establishing an effective national AGOA strategy.<br>tm2017<br>Centre for Human Rights<br>LLM<br>Unrestricted

碩士<br>國防大學<br>戰略研究所<br>107<br>Countries, particularly those in the global North, are passionate in promoting regional integration. This integration is usually dominated by regional or bilateral trade agreements which have now become a mechanism to improve good governance in developing countries in the global South. Trade agreements, particularly Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) are being used to enforce particular standards of what the global north considers as ‘good’ governance, through gentle persuasion or outright coercion at times. Over the past years, such market access agreements have been increasing and have become an alternative mechanism through which international law, rules and obligations are enforced. Consequently, they have a spill over impact on recipient countries’ domestic policy decision making choices and national governance. In this globalisation era, the Kingdom of eSwatini focuses all its effort in its drive to access and secure international markets for its products as it realises that this to be a crucial link to the global economy. The Kingdom of eSwatini is a signatory to a number of agreements and these include AGOA. It is in this context that the Kingdom of eSwatini provides an interesting setting for examining the impact of AGOA on the domestic policy of the country. This paper shows how the United States impacts the domestic policy decision making of the Kingdom of eSwatini by using market access trade agreements’ eligibility requirements. Further, it shows that AGOA benefits are not sustainable and holds potential disaster for economies on small developing nations to over rely on. Key words: AGOA, Domestic policy, Eligibility requirements, International trade, Globalisation and market access.

AGOA is a US trade policy which defines and underpins the trade and investment relations between the US and sub-Saharan Africa. Essentially, AGOA extends duty free treatment to exports from eligible sub Saharan African countries. These preferences are aimed at promoting sub-Saharan African export earnings and stimulating their economic growth by giving them improved access to the US market. South Africa is one the few sub-Saharan African countries with a high utilization rate of the AGOA preferences, and has substantially benefited from AGOA. However, in order to ensure compliance with the eligibility requirements, an eligible sub-Saharan African country is subjected to constant, on-going surveillance and monitoring through the out of cycle review mechanism. Importantly, the US President has the prerogative to determine whether a sub- Saharan African country is eligible or remains eligible for the AGOA preferential treatment. The strict eligibility requirements and out of cycle review mechanism as well as the unilateral nature of AGOA deprive it of the necessary stability, certainty and predictability. Importantly, the out of cycle review mechanism has a chilling effect on trade policies of eligible sub-Saharan African countries. This is particularly true in respect of South Africa, whose trade policy is the primary subject of the study. Notwithstanding the economic benefits, the disadvantages and or risks associated with AGOA overwhelm same. The disadvantages and or risks are amply demonstrated by the recent development in which South Africa was compelled to remove Anti-Dumping duties and Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary measures it had validly imposed on US poultry in return for retaining AGOA preferences. Consequently, it is contended that AGOA is not a non-reciprocal preferential scheme that it purports to be. Instead, it is de facto reciprocal or has reverse preferences embedded in it. This study therefore argues that South Africa is entitled to impose Anti-Dumping duties and the Sanitary and Phyo-Sanitary measures, provided that specific requirements are met and that the measures imposed by South Africa on US poultry are legal under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and the WTO law as long as the procedural and substantive requirements have been fulfilled. Consequently, the consistency thereof can only be tested using the WTO dispute settlement mechanism. Further, the study highlights the implications of removing the above-mentioned measures for South Africa's trade policy and explores various alternative trade arrangements which South Africa and other sub-Saharan African countries may pursue in order to ensure or secure a stable, transparent, reciprocal trade relation with the US.<br>tm2017<br>Centre for Human Rights<br>LLM<br>Unrestricted

This research evaluates the strategies being pursued by Smiths Manufacturing a South African automotive component manufacturer in order to determine their appropriateness given the changing external environment. World economies are becoming more integrated and the increasing trend of globalization has elevated the markets into a hyper-competitive era. Consequently, the competitive landscapes are constantly changing and manufacturing firms need to monitor this environment continuously to be able to adapt to the changes. The research commences with a brief outline and defines the objectives of the study. This is followed by theoretical discussions that are centred on strategic models and concepts which are applicable to this research. The case study is based on Smiths Manufacturing. Global automotive trends are identified. The main trends being that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are looking to outsource for modularity rather than componentry with a 'follow design' 'follow source' strategy being prevalent amongst automotive vehicle giants and their worldwide subsidiaries. Major OEMs are also looking to forge closer collaborations with their suppliers. In framing Smiths' strong domestic competitive position locally, the research also identifies the imminent threats from global excess capacity. Smiths' competitive position stems from factors such as product license agreements, internationally accredited quality agreements, Smiths' experience in supplying of modules to Toyota, Ford and BMW and Japanese firm Denso's 25% stake in Smiths. In applying the strategy theory to these findings highlights that aggressive strategies can be pursued successfully to enhance Smiths' position. In view of other global trends, some of the identified threats and weaknesses need to be neutralised. Moreover, opportunities arising through Africa's Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA), the redefinition of after market parts in Europe and other trade agreements are recommended to be pursued aggressively by Smiths. The research concludes with suggested strategies for Smiths to pursue for future growth. Smiths' growth has been above average and to sustain this level of growth will not be easy, but, in keeping with the global trends, it is recommended that Smiths also pursue closer collaboration with other major global first tier suppliers.<br>Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2006.

Thesis (LLM. (Development and Management Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013<br>This mini-dissertation relates to the mode of ownership of the country’s natural, mineral and petroleum resources, their contribution to the economy, the Growth Domestic Income and the overall role played by these resources to better the lives of the ordinary citizens and their impact on the socio economic circumstances in general. In terms of the previous mining legislation in South Africa, mineral rights were held privately and in some instances by the state. Following the 1994 democratic breakthrough, the Mineral and Petroleum resources Development Act now vests the ownership of mineral rights in the state as the custodian and owner on behalf of the people of South Africa and the mineral resources are the common heritage of the people. The vesting of the mineral rights does not however interfere with the right to private ownership of property which is expressly guaranteed by the property clause in the constitution. The new Mining legislative regime with specific and particular reference to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act and National Environmental Management Act are precisely paced to ensure optimal exploitation of natural resources while promoting sustainable development.