Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) in partnership with the South African Research Chair in Industrial Development (SARChI Industrial Development) based at the University of Johannesburg and the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa (EUD), in association with the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) invites you to its 2019 Annual Forum with the theme on Innovation and Industrialisation.

Aim of the conference

The aim is to deepen the understanding of a cross section of issues involved in how innovation is a key feature of industrialisation and the related opportunities and challenges.

The context for the conference

Innovation is an essential element for economic growth and technological upgrading is a key aspect of industrialisation. Despite increased public funds injected into science, technology and innovation (STI) as well as a series of policies designed to encourage innovation, South Africa’s innovation activities appear to be constrained. What then is South Africa’s ability to adapt and respond to technological change and especially discontinuous technological change?