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This briefing analyzes Brazil's strategic position and challenges within the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations as of February 2004. It details the friction between Brazil and the United States over agricultural subsidies, non-tariff barriers, and the 'Singapore issues,' while examining how the US strategy of bilateral agreements and the outcomes of the WTO Cancun summit have influenced the shift toward a more flexible 'ALCA-lite' framework.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on Mexico ten years after its 1994 implementation. The author argues that while the agreement created significant challenges for certain sectors—particularly agriculture—it has been an empirical success in terms of trade, investment, and macroeconomic stability, providing a case study for the South African Customs Union (SACU).

This 2004 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the experiences of South African firms expanding into other African markets. It identifies systemic structural challenges—such as political risk, corruption, and poor infrastructure—while highlighting the growth of South African investment in sectors like banking, telecommunications, retail, and mining. The document provides specific case studies on Uganda, Morocco, Mozambique, and Ghana to illustrate the diverse operating environments across the continent.

This 2004 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the experiences of South African firms operating in Mozambique. It highlights South Africa's role as a leading investor, the success of large-scale 'mega-projects', and the significant bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles faced by smaller enterprises. The document analyzes the socio-economic impact of this investment on the Mozambican labour market, trade balance, and industrialization, while providing policy recommendations to improve the business environment for both foreign and domestic investors.

This executive summary from the South African Institute of International Affairs describes Mali as a stable, democratic West African country with strong economic growth driven largely by a gold mining boom and South African investment.

This executive summary from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) argues that while Universal Primary Education (UPE) is a noble goal, it is insufficient on its own to drive Africa's economic development. The document highlights critical shortages in teacher quantity and quality, the neglect of secondary education, and the severe impact of HIV/Aids on the schooling system. It calls for a comprehensive strategy that includes increased funding, curriculum reform, and a focus on secondary education to bridge the skills gap and improve the continent's global economic competitiveness.

The report 'Back to the Blackboard' examines the education crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, arguing that the narrow focus on Universal Primary Education (UPE) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has neglected secondary education and compromised instructional quality. It highlights systemic failures including teacher shortages, poor salaries, corruption, and the devastating impact of HIV/Aids. The document advocates for a comprehensive strategy that integrates secondary schooling, vocational training, and curriculum reform to drive economic growth, drawing lessons from East Asia's successful integration of human capital development and industrial planning.

This report, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in October 2003, examines the critical state of transport, financial, and social infrastructure within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It argues that poor management and political apathy, rather than just physical decay, hinder regional economic competitiveness and integration.

This briefing by Razeen Sally examines the challenges facing the World Trade Organization (WTO) amidst a shifting global power structure characterized by overwhelming US dominance and the decline of European and Japanese influence. The author argues that the WTO is suffering from regulatory overload, excessive legalisation, and political deadlock, which have crippled its ability to function as a negotiating mechanism. To survive as a vehicle for liberalisation, the author suggests the WTO must return to its core purpose of reducing trade barriers and secure clear US leadership supported by pragmatic coalitions in the Asia-Pacific region.

The first issue of the SADC Barometer, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in March 2003, evaluates the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) internal restructuring, regional security integration, and economic convergence. The report highlights significant disparities between South Africa and other member states, the impact of HIV/AIDS on food security, and the challenges of implementing a regional Free Trade Area (FTA) amidst non-tariff barriers and political instability in countries like Zimbabwe.

This research paper examines the political economy of land reform in Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Mozambique, focusing on the legacies of settler colonialism and the challenges of redistributing land to rural populations. It analyzes the different strategies employed by each nation—ranging from Zimbabwe's 'fast track' land invasions and Namibia's 'willing-seller' model to Mozambique's hybrid legal system—and discusses the regional economic implications of these policies, including their impact on foreign investment and trade within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

This research paper by Nandile Ngubentombi examines South Africa's foreign policy toward Swaziland and Zimbabwe, focusing on the use of 'quiet diplomacy' and 'persuasive diplomacy' to address political crises and human rights abuses. The author analyzes why South Africa's approach differs between the two nations, noting that while both suffer from tyrannical leadership and political suppression, Zimbabwe's larger economic scale makes its instability a greater regional threat, whereas Swaziland's smaller size results in less regional concern despite its absolute monarchy.

This research paper by Wilfred Mhanda examines the diplomatic and political relationship between South Africa and Zimbabwe, specifically critiquing the South African government's support for Robert Mugabe's regime. Mhanda argues that South Africa's 'quiet diplomacy' contradicts its stated foreign policy values of democracy and human rights, suggesting that solidarity between former liberation movements has taken precedence over the actual empowerment of the Zimbabwean people.

This research paper analyzes South Africa's foreign policy toward Zimbabwe from 1994 to 2002, arguing that Zimbabwe has been of marginal interest to Pretoria despite deep historical, economic, and security links. The author identifies three phases of policy: an initial lack of specific policy, a period of brinkmanship and frustration (1994–1999), and a subsequent 'twin-track' approach of constructive engagement and containment starting in 2000. The paper highlights the economic devastation in Zimbabwe following the lapse of a 1964 Customs Agreement and the failure of the two nations to establish a cohesive regional security mechanism within SADC.

This research paper analyzes the 2002 multiparty elections in Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Zambia, evaluating the democratic processes, legal frameworks, and the role of electoral commissions in the SADC region.

This 2002 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the severe economic decline of Zimbabwe under President Robert Mugabe. It details the collapse of the agricultural sector due to the fast-track land resettlement program, the resulting hyperinflation, and the failure of the manufacturing and tourism industries. The document outlines the role of external actors, including Libya and South Africa, and proposes a comprehensive recovery scenario based on the restoration of the rule of law, democratic governance, and macroeconomic stabilization.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyses the observations of six domestic, regional, and international missions regarding the 2002 Zimbabwe presidential election. It examines the legislative framework, the political environment, and the conduct of the polling and counting processes, highlighting significant discrepancies in how different observer groups weighted evidence of violence and transparency to reach their final conclusions on the election's legitimacy.

This document provides introductory quotes from Strobe Talbott, Deputy US Secretary of State, and President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, framing the diplomatic and economic relationship between the United States and South Africa within the context of an 'African Renaissance'. It notes that the publication originated from a May 2000 conference co-hosted by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), the University of the Witwatersrand, and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

President Nelson Mandela's address at the Kosovo, Africa and Humanitarian Intervention Conference, delivered on 25 August 2000, discusses the disparity in international willingness to intervene in conflicts in Africa compared to Kosovo and emphasizes the need for global accountability and dialogue to prevent human rights violations.

This research paper by Jodie Keane explores the nature of intra-Commonwealth value chains using a mixed-methods approach. It analyzes trade intensity, shifts in intermediate goods sourcing, and firm-level data to determine how Commonwealth members integrate into regional versus global value chains (GVCs). The findings suggest a prevalence of additive value chains and a specific tendency for Small Island Developing States to export within the Commonwealth.