Minister Tito Mboweni hosts second colloquium on South African economy

“Our objective is to think through what could be in the best interest of South Africans in the medium- to long-term. We will continue to canvass the views of as many South African and international economic experts as is practically possible,” Mboweni said in a statement.

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni says the second colloquium on the South African economy is a classic example of how the State, academia, the private sector and other sectors of society can collaborate to achieve higher and more inclusive growth.

"Our objective is to think through what could be in the best interest of South Africans in the medium- to long-term. We will continue to canvass the views of as many South African and international economic experts as is practically possible," Mboweni said in a statement.

The Minister convened the second colloquium on the South African economy on Saturday.

Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank Lesetja Kganyago and Deputy Governor Daniel Mminele, academics, private sector economists, key government officials, business people and international experts were among those who participated in the colloquium.

The Saturday gathering, also attended by Harvard University's Professor Dani Rodrik, was the second following another held on 21 December 2018, where government officials and other experts presented policy proposals to raise the level of South Africa's economic growth.

"These proposals were tested through discussion with economists from the private sector and academia, including Professors Ricardo Hausmann and Robert Lawrence, both of Harvard University.

"Discussions at both colloquia placed particular emphasis on interventions that encourage new models and paradigm shifts in support of faster and more inclusive economic growth. The outcomes of the colloquia will form the basis of an economic strategy for South Africa, which will be submitted to Cabinet for its consideration," said National Treasury.

(With Inputs from South African Government Press Release)