Focus:

Exploring 2050 vision and pathways to a just transition to a low-carbon economy. The process will take a high-level perspective on developing pathways in order to transition to an environmentally sustainable, low-carbon economy including developing a social compact about a low-carbon future

Activities:

The task team will host two high level workshops in May and November 2018 (key social partner groups are labour, government, civil society, industry and opinion makers). In addition to that, 9 provincial workshops will be held from May 2018 until March 2019. Each workshop will build on the previous one in terms of developing a vision. A two-day summit will be held in April 2019, where a vision for 2050 and pathways to get there will be agreed on.

Progress:

A Reference Group has been established and they held their first meeting in February 2018. The first social partner and wider stakeholder engagements are scheduled to take place in May 2018 respectively.

Focus:

Addressing South Africa’s export competitiveness

Activities:

Progress:

A draft discussion paper on exports was presented and discussed at plenary and a symposium on was held. It was decided that an additional study be commissioned as part of the proposed economy series. Work incorporated in economy overview

Focus:

Understanding infrastructure obstacles including SOEs and Transport economies

Activities:

Research

Progress:

The work stream has developed terms of reference for a “Study to Strengthen Governance and Performance of South African State Owned Enterprises” and has engaged the AFDB to partner with the commission. Also developed and circulated terms of reference that serves as a basic overview of the transport sector

Focus:

Considering ways of reducing the cost of doing business economies

Activities:

Progress:

Engagement with Statistics South Africa has been undertaken with regard to indicators on input costs (to include in particular, administered prices), the IES and the possibility of developing an index; The World Bank model for determining the cost of doing business was presented during the workshop on 5 May 2017. Global benchmark indicators on cost of doing business and regulation in particular have been sourced.

Focus:

Taking an overarching view to gaps in creating employment and growing the economy

Activities:

The work stream is working towards an Overview of the Economy paper that will explore the factors that impact on the current growth rate, the gaps between the NDP and the current levels, and identify the drivers needed to address the gaps.

Progress:

A draft paper has been completed and the paper is scheduled for public release in April 2018.

Focus:

Exploring policy options for energy

Activities:

A symposium was held with experts. The inputs from the workshop were integrated into a revised paper. Consultations with national government departments were held. National Treasury (NT), Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) submitted written comments. Bilateral meetings where held with the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), National Treasury and ESKOM. A technical discussion was held on the energy models and this discussion included a presentation by the CSIR on their paper called Electrifying the Economy

Progress:

The draft Energy Paper and executive summary have been finalised and released for public input. The NPC hosted three regional roundtables sessions to engage the public and stakeholders. The Energy paper is being updated to include comments from public engagement process. The final paper will become an energy position of the NPC and form part of the more specific policy debates within the economy series.

Focus:

Develop a National Water Security Framework

Activities:

Progress:

A broad Framework for National Water Security was tabled at the Lekgotla of 3-5 December 2016. There was agreement to develop a National Water Security Framework. A draft National Water Security Framework has been developed and is undergoing consultation within the NPC.