Page 42 - Strat mag_africa_1st quarter

COMPETITIVENESS between advanced and emerging public trust in politicians and low levels for competitiveness: strong institutions Among the other sub-Saharan African economies, particularly when it comes to SA is second among of corruption. by regional standards (45th); good countries on the list are: growth and competitiveness. the BRICS nations “Botswana’s primary weaknesses public trust in politicians (32nd); Namibia (90th, up from 92nd); continue to be related to its human- and a government that is seen as Zambia (93rd, up from 102nd); Increased coverage resources base. Educational enrolment efficient (37th). Infrastructure is also Kenya (96th, up from 106th); Overall, the global coverage in the rates at all levels remain low by relatively well developed (43rd) and Gabon (112th, down from 99th); current report increased from 144 to Workers sorting fgs at a fr it international standards and the quality the Seychelles does well in regional The Gambia (116th, down from 98th); 148 economies, of which Africa has 38 – far in o th Africa. The co ntry of the educational system receives comparisons when it comes to health Lesotho (123rd, up from 137th); including Angola, a country not included in has lost its title as the ost mediocre marks,” the report says. and primary education (55th). Swaziland (124th, up from 135th); last year’s edition. Global Competitiveness co etitive econo y in Africa “The rates of disease in the country “As the country approaches the Liberia (128th, down from 111th). Index (GCI) rankings are based on 12 key remain very high and health outcomes innovation-driven stage of development, pillars of competitiveness: institutions; are poor despite improvements it needs to lay the fundamentals for Overall top performers infrastructure; macroeconomic in recent years.” higher value-added growth,” the authors As in previous years, the current list of top environment; health and primary warn “This requires improvements in global performers is dominated by European education; higher education and training; South Africa vulnerable report’s authors observed. The health of Last but not least higher education and training (79th) countries, with Switzerland coming in first goods market efficiency; labour market South Africa is ranked 53rd this year, the South African workforce is ranked Rounding out the top five countries particularly in view of its low tertiary for the fifth consecutive year. The other efficiency; financial market development; having slipped one place lower than its 133rd out of 148 economies – the result in the region is the Seychelles, which enrolment rates (2,6%), its weak maths countries in the top 10 are (in order of technological readiness; market size; previous ranking. In large part this is due of high rates of communicable diseases ranks 80th in the overall index. The and science education, and limited ranking): Singapore; Finland; Germany; business sophistication; and innovation. to its strong ties to advanced economies, and poor health indicators. The quality tiny island nation registers a solid availability of research and training United States; Sweden; Hong Kong; notably the Euro area, which has made of the educational system was rated as performance in the basic requirements services (93rd).” Netherlands; Japan; and United Kingdom. Mauritius assumes it more vulnerable to the EU economic “very poor (146th), with low primary and top position slowdown. As a result, its performance tertiary enrolment rates”. First quarter 2014 strategicmarketingafrica The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius in the macroeconomic environment has 41 significantly increased its standing from dropped sharply from 69th to 95th. Rwanda’s stable last year by moving up nine places from On the plus side, SA has overtaken performance 54th to 45th in the overall rankings. Brazil to place second among the Rwanda is ranked 66th, retaining third It benefits from relatively strong and BRICS nations (China is first by some place in the sub-Saharan African region. transparent public institutions (39th), margin). It also does well on measures It benefits from strong and relatively with clear property rights, strong of the quality of its institutions (41st), well-functioning institutions and very FAST-TRACK YOUR CAREER WITH WITS BUSINESS SCHOOL EXECUTIVE EDUCATION judicial independence and an efficient including intellectual-property protection low levels of corruption, an outcome that government (29th). Private institutions (18th), property rights (20th) and the is certainly related to the government’s CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME IN MARKETING are rated as highly accountable (14th), efficiency of the legal framework in no-tolerance policy, as well as a good MANAGEMENT with effective auditing and accounting challenging and settling disputes (13th security environment. Its labour markets 19 JUNE - 18 OCTOBER 2014 standards, as well as strong investor and 12th respectively). are efficient and its financial markets are protection. “The high accountability of its private relatively well developed. A 15-day programme which trains and certies “The country’s infrastructure is well institutions (second) further supports the “The country is also characterised by a marketing executives in the tools and perspectives developed by regional standards (50th) institutional framework and its financial capacity for innovation that is quite good of marketing, as well as integrating marketing particularly its ports, air transport and market development remains impressive for a country at its stage of development. into section management and overall corporate strategy. roads,” the report says. “Furthermore, at third place. The country also has an The greatest challenges facing Rwanda notable improvements have taken place efficient market for goods and services in improving its competitiveness are the Contact Anne Badcock in the areas of market efficiency. Financial (28th) and does reasonably well in state of the country’s infrastructure, its 011 717 3573 markets have deepened, lifting Mauritius’s more complex areas such as business low secondary and university enrolment anne.badcock@wits.ac.za rank up to 26th on the back of improved sophistication (35th) and innovation rates, and the poor health of its access to different modes of financing (39th),” the report says. workforce,” the WEF researchers noted. and financial services. This is further “Low scores for the diversion of public MANAGEMENT ADVANCEMENT PROGRAMME reflected in company spending on R&D – funds (99th), the perceived wastefulness Botswana on the up and up (MAP) which seems to be increasing, albeit from of government spending (79th) and a more Botswana moves up five places to 74th, 15 MAY - 20 SEPTEMBER 2014 low levels – thus somewhat enhancing general lack of public trust in politicians taking fourth spot in the sub-Saharan PHOTOS: GETTY/GALLO IMAGES, ISTOCKPHOTO A 23-day general management certicate programme Mauritius’s innovative capacity.” (98th) remain worrisome, [while] security Africa region, something that is driven in for middle managers who want to fast-track their careers The WEF report continues: “The continues to be a major area of concern for large part by a sounder macroeconomic into senior management. Invest in a full spectrum of labour market is relatively flexible at 55th, doing business (109th).” environment. Among the country’s economic, nancial, operations, organisational, and although the country does not deploy Building a skilled labour force and strengths are its relatively reliable and strategic leadership skills. its talent efficiently, ranking 92nd in its creating sufficient employment also transparent institutions (34th), with Contact Khosi Nkosi capacity to retain talent.” presented considerable challenges, the efficient government spending, strong 011 717 3628 khosi.nkosi@wits.ac.za 40 strategicmarketingafrica First quarter 2014