Leveraging Services for Growth, Employment & Equity. Project Overview
by Altman, M., 2005Research Report, Employment Growth & Development Initiative, Human Sciences Research Council
Services account for the majority of employment creation globally. Yet economic policy often treats service sectors as a residual consideration in their growth and employment strategies. The HSRC supported the cluster of South African economic departments to frame explicit strategies towards the services sectors. This report was an early contribution, to offer a framework for thinking about services. The service sectors are distinguished as: “backbone infrastructure” such as telecommunications and transport, often delivered through state owned entities, that fundamentally impact on economy-wide efficiency; services that are primarily publicly provided, such as education and health; and services that are mainly privately provided, such as tourism and finance. Altman frames the policy agenda aimed at promoting employment and growth through trade in services and government procurement, and promoting equity through access to essential services.
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