SA Case Studies, Botox and Bridges: South African Exports of Health & Construction Services

This paper outlines the main methodological and policy challenges facing developing countries, such as South Africa, in trying to understand the economic and social implications of service liberalisation. This is largely achieved by means of two case studies of the construction and health services sectors. While the findings are preliminary and the policy conclusions speculative, the paper provides some examples of the key analytical difficulties that arise in services analysis. More importantly, the paper highlights the need for Government to develop integrated service sector strategies that recognise the contribution of trade to development policy and the impact of domestic regulations on trade.