The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will host an Economic Policy Dialogue on South Africa’s Economic Outlook for 2017. The dialogue will take place at the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) Conference Centre in Midrand, Gauteng on Monday, 6 March 2017.

According to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies the Economic Policy Dialogue platform was established to advance the economic and public policy view of the dti on the current economic affairs and policy matters.

“The dialogue also allows some insight to policy-makers into the legislation or regulations that should flow from the policy. On another level, it allows private sector, business and labour to get an insight into the intricacies and complications inherent in policy and legislation formulation,” says Davies.

He adds that reflecting on the previous outlook in 2016, the South African economy was faced with so many difficulties such as subdued global demand, weak commodity prices, higher borrowing cost, drought and diminished economic confidence.

He says with all these challenges faced by the country it seems prudent to have a dialogue on the economic expectations for 2017.


Representatives from business, academia and government are expected to attend the dialogue where they will be addressed by a panel of renowned economists. These include a senior economist at the World Bank’s Global Practice,  Dr Marek Hanusch, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand School of Economics and Business Science, Mr Lumkile Mondi and  Chief Economist at Investment Solutions, Mr Lesiba Mothata.

The dialogue will be directed by Mr Clive Ramathibela Smith, a Chief Investment Officer, at Clivera Incorporated (Pty) Ltd and well-known for his radio commentary on the markets and the general economy.

Issued by Department of Trade and Industry