Professor Heinrich Bohlmann, Associate Professor in the University of Pretoria’s Department of Economics, has recently been elected as President of the Economic Society of South Africa (ESSA) for the 2021-2023 term, following his term as Vice-President from 2019-2021. 

The Society was established in 1925 and serves as a discussion forum for economists in academic life, government, and business through the hosting of its biennial conference, publication of the highly rated South African Journal of Economics, and other events at branch level. It boasts a large and diverse membership, including from outside South Africa. 

Prof Bohlmann said his election was an honour.

“I am honoured to be leading the Society for the next two years and look forward to making a positive contribution and bringing renewal where needed as the ESSA approaches its 100-year anniversary.”

Prof Bohlmann, who holds a PhD in Economics from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, specialises in the development and application of dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) models for practical policy research. Over the course of his career, he has been contracted as an economic modelling consultant on research and training projects to clients such as the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, South Africa’s National Treasury, Eskom and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. 

His academic and contract work has mainly focused on macroeconomic planning, sectoral impact analysis, energy and environmental policy, and labour market topics. In addition to his research activities, Prof Bohlmann teaches and coordinates macroeconomics and CGE modelling courses at the University of Pretoria. His other professional appointments include Research Director of the Modelling and Policy Impact Analysis group at the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP), and serving on the council of the South African Association for Energy Economics (SAAEE).