Economic Diplomacy Strategic Framework – EDSF

Developed to provide 3 areas of clarity in the practise of our foreign policy;1. Provide a conceptual framework and tools for the practise of

ED;

2. Strengthen link between foreign policy and domestic policy

3. Distinctly draw out SA’s economic and commercial dimension in foreign policy

• EDSF is guided by Government’s policies and programmes

• Based on this, DIRCO and the dti developed the framework.

Economic Diplomacy Strategic Framework – EDSF: (continued)

• It clarifies the role and relationship between different spheres and agencies of government;

• The role of Diplomatic Missions and how they could support SA’s business sectors in pursuit of economic and national interest;

• Clarifies the distinctions and complimentary relationship between Economic and Commercial diplomacy in the bilateral and multilateral environment;

• It instructs diplomats on how they can support business sectors, trade and investment delegations, province, cities and not the least, provincial development agencies.

DIRCO STRATEGY EDSF

• Pursue an Economic Diplomacy Strategy that compliments SA’s developmental policies and strategies by;

o Pursuing market access for SA products, o Engage in the promotion and attraction of investment to SA,o Promote tourism, o Enhance the image and nation brand of SA

• Pursue political engagements that that address our economic imperatives as well as advance the African Agenda / Africa’s economic development.

TRAINING INTERVENTIONS• A great responsibility placed on the Department to contribute to a better life

for all in South Africa as we pursue the high-level objectives in the Strategic Plan, namely:

• Enhanced African Agenda and Sustainable Development; Strengthen the Political and Economic Integration of SADC; Strengthen South-South Relations; Strengthen Relations with Strategic Formations of the North; Participate in the Global System

of Governance; Strengthen Political and Economic Relations;

• supported by a fully capacitated, efficient, effective and professional Department.

TRAINING INTERVENTIONS (continued)

• The African Continent remains of strategic importance in our economic diplomacy thrust;

• A close relationship has developed between DIRCO and businesses operating abroad, especially in Africa;

• Working closely with corporate SA, DIRCO identified commercial and economic benefits that enhances national economic prosperity;

• With the 185 bilateral agreements, DIRCO explores new market opportunities with corporate SA, that enhances national economic prosperity;

• Hence, a fully capacitated, efficient, effective and professional economic diplomat is essential.

TRAINING INTERVENTIONS (continued)

• a fully capacitated, efficient, effective and professional economic diplomat has to be trained and fully equipped to function in the area of ED.

• Diplomats who understand;– The New Growth Path (NGP), National Industrial Policy Framework

(NIPF) and its Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP2), THE Trade policy and Strategy Framework (TPSF)

• For that, we have developed; THE ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY TOOLKIT.

• (present the toolkit)• Acknowledgements: highest level of cooperation and support

(DGs and CEOs) from partner departments and govt entities; – DTI, SA TOURISM, NDT, BRANDSA, SATSA, PROVINCIAL

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES, PRIVATE SECTOR ...

TRAINING INTERVENTIONS (CONTINUED)

• Economic Diplomacy Training is included in all DIRCO Residential Programmes (Heads of Mission Designate, mid- career diplomats and entry level officials who are to be posted abroad)

• SA Diplomats in Europe had a Workshop in Berlin from

4-9 March 2012 and Heads of Mission Workshop will be from 23-25 September 2012.

• Africa Workshops (SADC 29 May – 1 June, North and East Africa 21-27 July, West and Central Africa 1-5 October 2012).

• Regional Workshops for Americas and Caribbean and Asia and Middle East to be completed by end of the current financial year.

• From 2011 to date, 170 diplomats have been trained in Economic Diplomacy.

• By end of the Financial Year 2013/14, all our Missions abroad will have officials trained in Economic Diplomacy.

THANK YOU

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