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South Africa’s Exports Performance: Any Role for Structural Factors?

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Listed:
  • Rahul Anand
  • Mr. Roberto Perrelli
  • Boyang Zhang

Abstract

Despite a substantial and prolonged exchange rate depreciation, South Africa’s export performance has disappointed since the global financial crisis. In this paper we focus on the role of structural factors in reducing the responsiveness of South African exports to the real exchange rate depreciation. To this end, we construct a unique database of export performance at the firm level. Our analysis suggests that electricity bottlenecks, limited product market competition, and labor market constraints have reduced the responsiveness of firms’ exports to the rand depreciation. On the other hand, a firm’s ability to diversify its exports has helped it benefit more from currency movements.

Suggested Citation

  • Rahul Anand & Mr. Roberto Perrelli & Boyang Zhang, 2016. "South Africa’s Exports Performance: Any Role for Structural Factors?," IMF Working Papers 2016/024, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2016/024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Chama CHIPETA & Daniel Francois MEYER, 2018. "Trade Openness, FDI and Exchange Rate Effects on Job Creation in South Africa's Tradable Sectors," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 10(4), pages 197-212.
    4. Edwards Lawrence & Hlatshwayo Ayanda, 2020. "Exchange rates and firm export performance in South Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp2020-1, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
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    6. Ms. Elif C Arbatli Saxegaard & Mr. Gee Hee Hong, 2016. "Singapore’s Export Elasticities: A Disaggregated Look into the Role of Global Value Chains and Economic Complexity," IMF Working Papers 2016/052, International Monetary Fund.
    7. Sandile Hlatshwayo & Mr. Magnus Saxegaard, 2016. "The Consequences of Policy Uncertainty: Disconnects and Dilutions in the South African Real Effective Exchange Rate-Export Relationship," IMF Working Papers 2016/113, International Monetary Fund.
    8. Rahul Anand & Siddharth Kothari & Naresh Kumar, 2016. "South Africa: Labor Market Dynamics and Inequality," IMF Working Papers 2016/137, International Monetary Fund.
    9. Johnson Worlanyo Ahiadorme, 2022. "On the aggregate effects of global uncertainty: Evidence from an emerging economy," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 90(3), pages 390-407, September.
    10. Lawrence Edwards & Ayanda Hlatshwayo, 2020. "Exchange rates and firm export performance in South Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2020-1, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    11. Obeng, Camara Kwasi, 2017. "Effects of Exchange Rate Volatility on Non-Traditional Exports in Ghana," MPRA Paper 79026, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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