The Economic Integration of Trade Policy in South Africa: A Case Study of Ethekwini

South Africa, an emerging market in the international system, is home to the eThekwini municipality where recent economic development efforts (such as The Dube TradePort) have led to urban renewal. Durban, an area within the municipality is noted as a modern international tourist destination. Still, socioeconomic barriers challenge the growth of regional trade and foreign investment in South Africa, which indicates that there is a great need to identify indicators as associated with economic growth and development. Research is needed specific to this geographic region that examines the variables of socioeconomic change in order to develop a model that addresses poverty through targeted indicators. More specifically, research that addresses illiteracy levels, unemployment rates and household income is needed in order to build an argument for increased financial support and create technical assistance programs and services specific to poverty reduction and economic growth. This research study will identify the relationship between the identified indicators and funding levels of the Southern Africa Trade Hub. The theoretical framework for this study is economic liberalism, which is a model of international relations used to examine cooperation and state interdependence amongst primary actors.;Secondary data analysis was conducted on data from IHS Global Insight's Regional Explorer Database. The data was analyzed using significance tests and multiple regression analysis procedures. In addition, qualitative responses from interviews conducted with South African government officials, Southern Africa Trade Hub (SATH) affiliates, media, opinion leaders and/or key informants are interviewed to examine observed and practical changes to economic growth and development. It is anticipated that findings of this research aids in the development of intervention methods designed for the identified region.