The legal and economic techniques for controlling of and maximizing regional benefits from transnational corporations (TNCS) : strategy options for SADCC

Abstract

Transnational Corporations, in banking, agriculture, mining and other financial institu¬tions dominate most SADCC member states economies, providing advanced technologies, managerial skills, markets and some capital to so called "modern" enclaves mainly producing for exports. The majority of regional populations live at "bare subsistence levels in underdeveloped rural areas, providing a ready source of low cost labour. The major share of investable surpluses accrue to the TNCs, as significant proportion of them shipped out as profits interest, dividends and through transfer pricing, 1'he main theme of this thesis is centred on the necessity of restructuring the inherited institutional structures, shaped and perpetuated by legislation, to negotiate more successfully with transnational corporate affiliates on a national and regional basis to maximize transfer of the technology, the training of skilled and managerial personnel, market opportunities, and retention of domestically generated investable surpluses.