GTAC Public Economics Conference Day 1 - Fiscal Policy Challenges and Spending Choices

This session on "Fiscal Policy Challenges and Spending Choices" is facilitated by Yolande Smit from the Economic Policy division of the National Treasury. The session includes an in-depth presentation from Michael Sachs, affiliated with the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. Sachs delved into the intricacies of fiscal policy, elucidating the current challenges the government faces regarding revenue generation and public expenditure. The presentation further explored various spending choices and trade-offs that policymakers must consider, particularly in a constrained budget and social inequality. This session stood as a vital contribution to the conference, offering participants both academic and practical insights into the complexities of fiscal policy.