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Exports and economic growth: The case of South Africa

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  • Logan Rangasamy

    (Research Department, South African Reserve Bank, Pretoria, South Africa)

Abstract

Economic policy has always accorded an important role to export production in the overall growth process in South Africa. Recent policy proposals once again reaffirm this commitment. This paper attempts to ascertain whether the emphasis on export production is justified. Using modern econometric techniques within a multivariate framework, the results show that there is uni-directional Granger-causality running from exports to economic growth in South Africa. In addition, the gross domestic product (GDP) accounting identity underestimates the contribution of exports to economic growth. Thus, deliberate policy measures that stimulate export production will greatly enhance the growth prospects for the South African economy. The results in this paper also indicate that more attention should be given to the promotion of non-primary exports. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Logan Rangasamy, 2009. "Exports and economic growth: The case of South Africa," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 21(5), pages 603-617.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:21:y:2009:i:5:p:603-617
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.1501
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    1. Ahdi N. Ajmi & Goodness C. Aye & Mehmet Balcilar & Rangan Gupta, 2015. "Causality between exports and economic growth in South Africa: evidence from linear and nonlinear tests," Journal of Developing Areas, Tennessee State University, College of Business, vol. 49(2), pages 163-181, April-Jun.
    2. Kacou, Kacou Yves Thierry & Kassouri, Yacouba & Evrard, Talnan Hongwopena & Altuntaş, Mehmet, 2022. "Trade openness, export structure, and labor productivity in developing countries: Evidence from panel VAR approach," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 194-205.
    3. Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2021. "Is export-led growth hypothesis still valid for sub-Saharan African countries? New evidence from panel data analysis," European Journal of Management and Business Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 31(1), pages 77-93, April.
    4. Odhiambo, Nicholas M, 2021. "A test of exports-led growth hypothesis in Sub-Saharan African countries: Evidence from panel data analysis," Working Papers 27170, University of South Africa, Department of Economics.
    5. Nicholas M. Odhiambo, "undated". "Is Export-Led Growth Hypothesis Still Valid For Sub-Saharan African Countries? New Evidence From Panel Data Analysis," Working Papers AESRI01, African Economic and Social Research Institute (AESRI).
    6. N.M. Odhiambo, 2021. "Is Export-Led Growth Hypothesis Still Valid for Sub-Saharan African Countries? New Evidence from Panel Data Analysis," Working Papers AESRI-2021-02, African Economic and Social Research Institute (AESRI), revised Jan 2021.
    7. Ben Yedder, Nadia & El Weriemmi, Malek & Bakari, Sayef, 2023. "Boosting Economic Growth in Angola: Unveiling the Dynamics of Domestic Investments and Exports," MPRA Paper 119480, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. MALEFANE , Malefa Rose & ODHIAMBO, Nicholas M., 2018. "Impact of Trade Openness on Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from South Africa," Economia Internazionale / International Economics, Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato Agricoltura di Genova, vol. 71(4), pages 387-416.
    9. Michael Takudzwa Pasara & Vincent Mugwira, 2023. "Exchange Rate (MIS-) Alignment: An Application of the Behavioural Equilibrium Exchange Rate (beer) Approach to Zimbabwe (1990-2018)," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 13(5), pages 128-141, September.
    10. Komain Jiranyakul, 2010. "Recent evidence of the validity of the export-led growth hypothesis for Thailand," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 30(3), pages 2151-2159.
    11. Ahmed, Osama & Sallam, Walid, 2018. "Studying the volatility effect of agricultural exports on agriculture share of GDP: The case of Egypt," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 13(8), pages 345-352.
    12. Yaya KEHO, 2017. "The Exports and Economic Growth Nexus in Cote D ivoire: Evidence from a Multivariate Time Series Analysis," Asian Journal of Economic Modelling, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 5(2), pages 135-146, June.
    13. Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2021. "Is export-led growth hypothesis still valid for sub-Saharan African countries? New evidence from panel data analysis," European Journal of Management and Business Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 31(1), pages 77-93, April.
    14. Sheridan, Brandon J., 2014. "Manufacturing exports and growth: When is a developing country ready to transition from primary exports to manufacturing exports?," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 1-13.
    15. Innocent.U.Duru & Peter Siyan, 2019. "Empirical Investigation of Exports and Economic Growth: Evidence from Sane Countries, 1980-2016," Asian Development Policy Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 7(4), pages 318-354, December.
    16. Teboho Jeremiah Mosikari & Joel Hinaunye Eita, 2020. "Modelling Asymmetric Relationship between Exports and Growth in a Developing Economy: Evidence from Namibia," Economic Development and Well-being Research Group Working Paper Series edwrg-02-2020, University of Johannesburg, College of Business and Economics, revised 2020.
    17. Nicholas M Odhiambo, 2021. "Is Export-Led Growth Hypothesis Still Valid For Sub-Saharan African Countries? New Evidence From Panel Data Analysis," Working Papers AERI0121, African Economic and Social Research Institute (AESRI), revised 25 Aug 2021.

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