One of the studies found that, had the competitiveness gap been closed in telecommunications and transport, gross domestic product growth in 2003 would have been 3,9% higher while unemployment would have narrowed 5,5%.
The estimate reflects only the once-off improvement, and does not account for the multiplier effect that would have continued in subsequent years.
Nor did it take into account the possible spin-offs and new activities that might have arisen, study author Miriam Altman of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) said.
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The studies, commissioned by the Presidency and carried out by the HSRC and Genesis Analytics, were presented at a policy conference this week.
In a damning indictment of state policies, the studies found parastatals faced “a complex double mandate” to maximise profits and meet social goals. Moreover, the regulatory environment was often so weak that some state-owned enterprises — all of whom are de facto monopolies — were in effect operating without regulatory oversight.
