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African Integration and Trade Incentives: A compelling proposition for South African manufacturers. Layout. Introducing the IDC Types of Trade Incentives Intra & Extra Regional Trade RSA Imports and Exports to ROA. Introducing IDC. Preferential Trade Agreements.
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African Integration and Trade Incentives: A compelling proposition for South African manufacturers
Layout • Introducing the IDC • Types of Trade Incentives • Intra & Extra Regional Trade • RSA Imports and Exports to ROA
Preferential Trade Agreements • Regional trade agreements (RTAs) can be defined as reciprocal trade agreements between two or more partners. They include free trade agreements and customs unions; • In the middle of 2014 some 379 RTAs were in force around the world; • Yet only 16% of world merchandise trade receives preferences; • Preference margins of over 10% only account for 2% of world merchandise trade; • Regional trade agreement have increasingly become an important part of the global trading system; • African countries/regions are part of no less than 23 of such agreements 14 of whom are African RTAs.
AFRICA Intra and Extra Regional Trade • In recent years, intra-regional trade has been growing at the expense of extra regional trade; • Intra regional trade is the lowest in Africa but growing rapidly off a low base; • Constraints to higher levels of intra Africa trade include: • underdeveloped infrastructure • border bureaucratic delays • proliferation of preferential trade agreements
TRAs and Integration of African Economies • RTAs in Africa include • Southern African Development Community (SADC) • Southern Africa Customs Union • Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) • East Africa Community (EAC) • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) • Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) • South Africa is a member of SACU and SADC in Africa • COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite established in 2005 aims to deepen economic integration of the southern and eastern Africa region • Existing RTAs could form the basis of deeper integration of African economies
Intra and Extra Regional Trade Source: WTO
Intra Regional Trade Advantages • Members are encourage to specialise; • Easier access to each others’ market – increase trade; • Producers can benefit from economies of scale; • Jobs are created as a consequence of increased trade; • Firms inside the bloc are protected from cheaper imports from outside. Disadvantages • Distortion of world trade; • Benefits of free trade between countries in different blocs is lost; • Inefficient producers within the bloc can be protected from more efficient ones outside; • Retaliation by other regional trade blocs.
South African - Tools/ Incentives to promote Trade • Import and export levies/Incentives • Preferential Trade Agreements • Regional • Bilateral • Continental • Manufacturing Incentives • MCEP (RSA) • APDP (RSA automotive industry) • Etc • Industrial Finance • Low interest rate schemes (E.g IDC growE scheme) • Export and Import finance schemes • Export Finance insurance (E.g ECIC)
Incentives available in major African economies • The efficacy of incentives in attracting investment remains debatable; • Studies have shown, investors are searching for access to local and regional market, political and economic stability and favorable bilateral trade agreements; • RSA Incentives • APDP • MCEP • Tax • Kenya provides an array of tax incentives which include: • Export Processing Zones, offers companies a 10-year corporate income tax holiday • Tax relief for research and development (R&D) • Nigeria offers a wide range of incentives including: • Up to 120% of expenses on R&D are tax deductible • Local raw materials utilisation 30% tax concession for five years to industries that attain minimum local raw materials • 15% Tax concession for five years employing one thousand persons or more
South Africa’s Automotive Trade with the rest of Africa South Africa’s Automotive Exports to Africa, 2013 • SA leader in intra-Africa trade; • Trade skewed in favour of SA; • In 2013 18% of exports destined for Africa but only 9.4% of imports from continent; • Automotive industry leader in exports to Africa mostly motor vehicles; • Africa now largest export market for SA produced vehicles particularly SADC Source: NAAMSA
SA Industry Trend – SA Top Export by continent • Europe remains the most important trading partner. • Developments in the EU have a direct and measurable impact on the SA auto industry. • Trade relations with EU are governed by the Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA). • Under the SA-EU Free Trade Agreement SA produced passenger cars and components with at least 60% local content are imported into the EU duty-free.
Key challenges to Africa Intra trade • Relatively High country risk factor – Commercial and Political risk, thereby resulting in high cost of funding; • Inconsistencies and uncertainties in some Government policies; • Volatility and Erratic market conditions - Forex fluctuation, duty structure changes; • Logistical infrastructure challenges and lack of distribution networks for products across the region; • Limited statistical data and market intelligence - Lack of reliable market information ; • Grey market penetration (second-hand vehicle imports)- Grey market estimated to be 10 times size of new vehicles market size; • Skills shortage - The shortage of requisite skills hinders growth of the motor industry in Africa.
Conclusion • Reliable and efficient infrastructure (i.e. roads, ports, rail, telecom etc) is key for regional market integration and connectivity; • Apart from investment and tax incentives, studies have shown, investors are searching for access to local and regional market, political and economic stability and favorable bilateral trade agreements; • The numerous RTAs need to be streamlined and consolidated to create a single African market; • Modest levels of intra Africa trade also indicate the potential for its growth; • Regional Market integration is key to attracting manufacturing industries.