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DAVID KAPLAN Professor Of Business Government Relations University Of Cape Town

SOUTH AFRICA’S EXPORTS OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS : A Comparative Perspective And Some Policy Priorities. DAVID KAPLAN Professor Of Business Government Relations University Of Cape Town. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION GLOBAL FORUM. High Technology Products. PRODUCT GROUP DESCRIPTION.

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DAVID KAPLAN Professor Of Business Government Relations University Of Cape Town

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  1. SOUTH AFRICA’S EXPORTS OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS: A Comparative Perspective And Some Policy Priorities. DAVID KAPLANProfessor Of Business Government RelationsUniversity Of Cape Town SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION GLOBAL FORUM

  2. High Technology Products PRODUCT GROUP DESCRIPTION SITC code High Technology 1: Electronic and Electrical 716 Rotating electric plant and parts 718 Other power generating machinery 751 Office machines 752 Automatic data processing machines 759 Parts of and accessories for ADP and office machines 761 Television receivers 764 Telecommunications equipment, parts and accessories 771 Electric power machinery and parts 774 Electric apparatus for medical purposes 776 Thermionic, cold & photo - cathode valves, tubes and parts 778 Electrical machinery and apparatus, n.e.s. High Technology 2: Other 524 Radio - active and associated materials 541 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 712 Steam & other vapour power units , steam engines 792 Aircraft & associated equipment and parts 871 Optical instruments and apparatus 874 Measuring, checking, analysing, controlling instruments 881 Photographic apparatus and equipment, n.e.s. Source: Lall (2000)

  3. High Technology Growth Rates 1992-2005 (average annual %)

  4. South Africa’s Percentage Shares Of Global High Technology Exports, 1992-2005

  5. South Africa’s Balance Of Trade In High Technology Products, 1992-2005 (Current US dollars, millions)

  6. Global Share Of High Technology Exports – China, Brazil, Argentina And South Africa, 1992-2005 (%S)

  7. Revealed Comparative Advantage in High Tech Exports: Brazil, Argentina and South Africa - 2002

  8. Patents of South African origin granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office,1994-2006

  9. Conclusions • Weak performance in high-tech exports and patent activity. • Share of Global Exports declined; growing adverse balance of trade • High tech. low share of exports • No emerging comparative advantage • Contrast with Brazil. Similar to Argentina

  10. Petrochemicals: Sasol • World Technology Leader in area of Global Significance • 10% of BERD in SA • $100million per annum + Large recent K investments • 350FTE Researchers (100+ post-doc.) • Global Footprint – Qatar; Iran; China; US; India.

  11. Petrochemicals: Sasol • Technology development locally based • JV internationalization (Chevron) • Key role of the State

  12. Nuclear Energy: PBMR • German technology – further developed locally • Largest locus of development skills • > 550 persons • Very significant state support • Significant future export potential - $3billion per annum

  13. Software : Small Companies • Innovative – reliant on a single innovative product • Some exporters have foreign connections • Product complexity protects in the home market • IPR required in global market • Sell via web portals • Often to other African countries • IPR and marketing the key constraints

  14. Software: Medium/Large Companies; Thawte • Global leader in encrypted digital certificates • Largely web based sales • Sale to US Company

  15. The Paradox • Poor macro performance. Simultaneously, well performing innovative firms over a wide range of product areas.

  16. The Constraints • Institutional – IPRs; Standards; Regulation • Early stage venture K • Marketing • Most importantly – limited supply of high level skills

  17. Policy Priorities • Limit new programmes and financial support for Innovation • Principal focus – improve the supply of highly skilled • Education and training • Relax immigration restrictions – actively recruit

  18. Policy Priorities • Incentives for foreign investors to train • Question state support for highly skill-intensive projects • Support growth of private early stage capital • Support for global marketing and IP registration for innovative exports

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