Trade liberalization and export performance in Tanzanian cashew nuts

This study investigates the impact of trade liberalization on export performance on cashew nuts in Tanzania, employ time series data from 1970 to 2010. This paper employed both econometrics and non parametric techniques to estimate the impact of trade liberalization on export performance on cashew nuts.  Under econometrics techniques we applied cointegration technique, error correction modeling approach and trend analysis. Unit root test reveals that, all variables are non stationary at level and stationary at first difference respectively. Also Engle–Granger test for cointegration and Johansen test found that variables are cointegrated. This implies that cashew nuts export earnings; world price and real exchange rate have long run relationship (equilibrium). Empirical results from error correction modeling approach found an error term has a correct sign and statistically significant at 5 percent level. This means that world price and real exchange rate are adjusting towards long run equilibrium. The coefficient of error term of (-0.361547)    indicates that variables are adjusting to long run equilibrium at the speed of 36 percent per annum. The adjustment of variables suggests the existence of long relationship amongst the variables under study. World price found with a positive sign and statistically significant at 5 percent as such world price is an important determinant of cashew nuts export earnings in Tanzania. On other hand real exchange rate found with a correct sign but statistically insignificant. Trend analysis of cashew nuts export earnings found to be positive means that, it is improving over time. Non parametric technique reveals that trade liberalization is a significant strategy in Tanzania since its coefficient is statistically significant at 5 percent level. Keywords: Trade liberalization, Export performance, Cashew nuts and export growt

Determinants of Tanzanian agricultural export: A case of cotton lint.

This paper examines the determinants of agricultural export (cotton lint) in Tanzania using secondary data from Food and Agricultural Organization data base (FAO STAT), Ivan Kushnir's Research Center and World Economic Indicators data base from 1970 to 2010. Cointegration and error correction model were employed to analyses the determinants of cotton lint export earnings in Tanzania. The findings reveal that cotton lint export earnings are mostly determined by internal factors like real exchange rate and agricultural productivity. The results also show that the estimated coefficients of real exchange rate and agricultural earnings are statistically significant meaning that real exchange rate and agricultural productivity have positive contributions on cotton lint export earnings in Tanzania. Non parametric test also reveal that trade liberalization strategy is a significant determinant of cotton lint export earnings in Tanzania. The computed chi-squared value is greater than critical table value at 5 percent level in one degree of freedom. So the study rejected the null hypothesis of samples having the same median and favored the alternative. Keywords: Agricultural export, determinants of agricultural export, cotton lint, Tanzania

Cloves Export Response to trade liberalization in Tanzania: A Cointegration Analysis

This paper investigates the cloves export response in Tanzania before and after trade liberalization from 1970 to 2010. The econometric and nonparametric techniques have been applied. Econometric techniques include cointegration, error correction modeling approach as well as the trend analysis. Error correction modeling approach its empirical findings revealed that there exists a long run or equilibrium relationship amongst the variables that is cloves export earnings, world price and real exchange rate. The short run (short term dynamic behavior) of Tanzania’s cloves export response to trade liberalization has been investigated through the error correction model. Empirical results on error correction model were found to be correctly signed. The coefficient estimate of the error correction term in this model indicates a high speed of adjustment of variables to equilibrium.  This implies that variables adjusting to equilibrium at the speed of 78 percent per annum as such confirming the validity of the long run equilibrium relationship. World price also has been found to be correctly signed and statistically significant at 5 percent as such is one of the important determinants of cloves export supply. On other hand real exchange rate as well found with correct sign but statistically insignificant and dummy variable which captured the effect before and after trade liberalization found to be an important determinants of cloves supply since it has a positive sign, however it is statistically insignificant. Trend analysis of cloves export earnings found to be improving. Generally, robustness has also found in error correction model used in this study since it provided with relevant information about diagnostic tests. A non parametric technique revealed that shift of trade policy in Tanzania is statistically significant at 5 percent level. Keywords: Trade liberalization, export response or performance and agricultural export

Impact of trade reform on coffee in Tanzania: A time series Analysis

This study empirically investigates the impact of Tanzania’s trade reforms on coffee export. The study employs a time series analysis from 1970 to 2010. Sources of data are from Food and Agriculture Organization data base, Ivan Kushnir's Research Center and World Economic Indicators data base. Specifically, the study uses coffee export earnings as dependent variable whereas world price, real exchange rate, coffee production and trade reform (dummy variable) as independent variables to examine the impact of trade reform on coffee. The empirical investigation done in this paper employed cointegration and error correction modeling (ECM) as well as trend analysis using EViews 7. The results suggest that, world price, real exchange rate, coffee production in metric tons and trade reform (dummy variable) have greater impact on coffee export earnings in Tanzania. Interestingly, world price and coffee production have most significant impacts on coffee export earnings both in long run and short run. However, real exchange rate and dummy variable have positive impacts on coffee export earnings but statistically insignificant. Error correction term found with the expected sign and quickly adjusted to the long run equilibrium at the speed of 98.2 percent per annum. Trend analysis reveals that, trade reform has a positive impact on coffee export an earnings since the trending coefficient has a positive sign as such has an upward trending. Keywords: Trade reform or trade liberalization, agricultural export, coffee and time series analysis.

Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in Tanzania: Co-integration and Error Correction Model Analysis

This study identifies the determinants of foreign direct investment in Tanzania over the period spanning from 1970 to 2012. In order to investigate the determinants, the study utilizes time series analysis employing the multiple regression analysis. The study tests for unit root using Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test and co integration test using Engle-Granger residuals co integration test and Johansen co integration test to affirm if the variables are co integrated. Furthermore, the study estimate long run and short run coefficients using Error Correction Model (ECM). Generally speaking, empirical results suggest that gross domestic product (GDP), openness and inflation rates are main determinants of FDI in Tanzania. Moreover, results further reveal that variables are adjusting to long run equilibrium at the speed of 53 percent per annum. Also structural break in long run suggest stable contributions of these variables in FDI in Tanzania. Thus, in this context, Tanzanian government ought to earmark GDP, openness and inflation rates as crucial variables in attracting FDI in Tanzanian economy. However, it should be clear that not only these variables are essential for determining FDI in Tanzania but these variables have significant contributions as per adjusted R-square since have 70 percent of power in explaining FDI inflow in Tanzania. Keywords: Determinants of foreign direct investment, Error correction model, Foreign direct investment, Tanzanian foreign direct investment

A study of construction plant and equipment health and safety (H & S) in the KwaZulu-Natal construction industry.

M. Sc. Eng. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.With the increasing rate of infrastructural development in South Africa the accident and fatality rate continues to increase. It then becomes paramount to ensure adherence to H&S regulations so as to mitigate and prevent accidents and fatalities from occurring. The study of Health and Safety associated with plant and equipment is important because the majority of accidents are plant and equipment related. The study analysed key risks involved in the use of plant and equipment, the nature and severity of accidents and hazards and health risks related to the KwaZulu-Natal road construction industry. Previous studies have focused on the use of an excavator and have not researched particularity the KwaZulu- Natal province road construction industry. This research consisted of an observation study on twelve road construction sites within KwaZulu-Natal. During visits to these, Health and Safety (H&S) aspects related to plant and equipment, site documentation such as plant maintenance log books, plant certifications as well as safe work procedures were examined. Structured interviews were conducted with construction road contractors, professional engineers and qualified persons in charge of H&S aspects in the twelve sites under the study. The research aimed to investigate how the construction road contractors perceive Health and Safety (H&S) risks associated with plant and equipment and how construction worker health can be improved in road construction. The study revealed that H&S procedures with regard to the operation of construction plant and equipment were in most cases not adhered to in road construction in KwaZulu-Natal. Furthermore, it was observed that plant operators were not sufficiently trained in H&S before handling plant and equipment. H&S training is paramount including the implementation of H&S procedures. This would improve project performance and the overall South African construction industry

Photo-switching of dabcyl modified silicon microwire field effect transistors.

Masters of Science in Physics. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2017.Abstract available in PDF file

Demographic profile and epidemiology of injury in Mthatha, South Africa

Objective: To determine the magnitude, socio-demographic and epidemiological characteristics of injury at a Provincial referral hospital.Methods: This review was conducted on all trauma patients admitted at the Mthatha Hospital Complex and Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital from the 1st January 1997 to the 31st December 2000.Results: The incident rate of injuries was 3.2% (n=2460/75,833 total admissions). Injured patients were mostly black (80%) and males (ratio: 5 men: 1 woman). Only 8.1% of injured patients were transported to hospital by ambulances. The leading causes of injuries were inter-personal violence accounting for 60% of cases, and motor vehicle accidents accounting for 19%; of them 38% were due to poor visibility, over speeding, and fatigue. The overall mortality was 33% (n=821) independently predicted by poverty (OR=8.2 95%CI 6-11.1; P40 years(OR=7.8 95%CI 7.7-12.1;P<0.0001).Conclusion: The burden of injury is a mass issue that warrants regional attention with quality of care and training.Keywords: Injuries, violence, poverty, mortality, South AfricaAfrican Health Sciences 2013; 13(4): 1144 - 114

Human myiasis in rural South Africa is under-reported

Background. Myiasis is the infestation of live tissue of humans and other vertebrates by larvae of flies. Worldwide, myiasis of humans is seldom reported, although the trend is gradually changing in some countries. Reports of human myiasis in Africa are few. Several cases of myiasis were recently seen at the Mthatha Hospital Complex, Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (SA).Objective. Because of a paucity of literature on myiasis from this region, surgeons and scientists from Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, decided to document myiasis cases presenting either at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital or Umtata General Hospital from May 2009 to April 2013. The objective was to determine the incidence, epidemiology, patient age group and gender, and fly species involved. The effect of season on incidence was also investigated.Results. Twenty-five cases (14 men and 11 women) were recorded in the 4-year study period. The fly species involved were Lucilia sericata, L. cuprina, Chrysomya megacephala, C. chloropyga and Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) nodosa, the latter being confirmed as an agent for human myiasis for the first time. The patients were 3 - 78 years old (median 56). Cases were most numerous during spring and summer, and were associated with underlying pathologies typical of ageing.Conclusion. Myiasis is a more common medical condition than expected in the Mthatha region. The study shows that human myiasis is still frequently encountered in SA, and there is a need to understand its epidemiology better

Human myiasis in rural South Africa is under-reported

Background. Myiasis is the infestation of live tissue of humans and other vertebrates by larvae of flies. Worldwide, myiasis of humans is seldom reported, although the trend is gradually changing in some countries. Reports of human myiasis in Africa are few. Several cases of myiasis were recently seen at the Mthatha Hospital Complex, Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (SA)