Does the South African government link trade liberalisation to sustainable development and poverty alleviation?
PD: Those are undoubtedly underlying objectives. Trade liberalisation can be linked to poverty alleviation from two perspectives: a) the prices consumers have to pay for goods and b) potential benefits of high tariffs for producers protection. In South African trade policies, I dont see the consumer perspective coming through. Policies are purely concerned with producers. South Africa generally follows an industrial policy approach without a sustainable development perspective. That is a problem, because the average South African loses out. IPS: Will efforts to achieve regional economic integration within SADC help to achieve MDG 1, eradication of poverty and hunger, by 2015? PD: Yes. SADC trade policies focus on market-led and production-led interventions, and both are needed. However, such interventions need to be carefully managed and implemented. Failure of economic interventions can result in the loss of industries and the destruction of livelihoods. IPS: What has been the impact
