Chris Hattingh is Executive Director at the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA). With a special focus on trade, investment, and economic matters, as well as foreign policy, Chris serves on the Executive Board of the Global Trade and Innovation Policy Alliance, sits on the advisory council of the Initiative for African Trade and Prosperity and holds the position of Senior Fellow at African Liberty. Chris holds an MPhil (Business Ethics) degree from Stellenbosch University. In his role at the CRA, Chris leads strategic engagements and briefings to clients across South Africa, as well as globally.
[Letter] Avoid tariff-subsidies route
The IMF’s July World Economic Outlook highlights the risks posed by “trade tariffs, alongside a scaling up of industrial policies worldwide”, generating “damaging cross‐border spillovers, as well as trigger retaliation, resulting in a costly race to the bottom”.
[Letter] Revisit trade policy
Tariffs run risk of entering ‘tit-for-tat’ territory.
[Letter] NHI undermines security and predictability
Health minister Joe Phaahla recently told South Africans, “medical aid schemes are still there. So keep your medical aid. Everything will be transparent. Please, don’t throw away your medical aid schemes and stop your debit order.”
[Letter] Tempting fate with NHI fund powers
The National Health Insurance (NHI) Act provides for the following (among others): “The [NHI] Fund must determine payment rates annually for healthcare service providers, health establishments and suppliers in the prescribed manner and in accordance with the provisions of this act,” and, “account to the minister on the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers.”
[Letter] Coalition could be helpful
Deputy finance minister David Masondo underestimates the momentum that a coalition — even if it proves to be unstable — could afford President Cyril Ramaphosa’s “reform agenda”.
[Letter] Uncomfortable truths in BHP merger proposal
If the deal goes ahead Anglo American will have to split off its SA platinum and iron ore units.
[Opinion] The pernicious effects of administered prices
Administered prices can have dire consequences when charged by dysfunctional state-owned entities, warns Chris Hattingh.
[Opinion] Privatisation at Transnet ports hits first snag on road to creating efficiency
Chris Hattingh discusses latest Port of Durban developments with Business Times.