DA's Plan for Growth and Jobs - Democratic Alliance

LONG-TERM POLICY PROPOSALSPolicy outcome: Enhanced regional integrationOne-Stop Border PostsIntroduce a system of One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) at each of South Africa’sinternational land borders in order to expedite the border crossing process, reduceadministrative burdens and costs, and enhance regional trade. Agreements will be signedwith each of the country’s territorial neighbours that will allow for the mutual recognition ofregulation and inspections procedures so that the emigration and immigration stages ofprocess may be completed in a single step, with officials from both parties working side byside. Key components of the OSBP system will include: (i) project inspection through jointcustoms control; (ii) single-window inspection with coordinated opening hours; (iii) priorexchange of information for clearance; (iv) systematic reduction of routine inspectionpractices; (v) reduction of the number of documents required by both sides and theelimination of superfluous procedures; (vi) alignment of trade document to the standard UNlayout; and (vii) the introduction of customs inland clearance practices by all cooperatingpartners.SA National Peace CorpsEstablish a South African National Peace Corps (SANPC) to provide developmentassistance and build closer ties between South Africa and the rest of the continent. TheSANCP will provide training, cover transport costs and pay school-leaving volunteers a smallstipend for the duration of their tour of duty. Volunteers will gain leadership skills as well aspractical knowledge of key areas such as health, education, business and ICT, which willassist them in the job market. Recruitment will be targeted at school-leavers.SA International Development AgencyEstablish a South African International Development Agency (SAIDA) within the Departmentof International Relations and Cooperation. SAIDA will provide development loans andassistance, policy expertise and other technical support to developing countries, with a focuson Africa and Southern Africa in particular. While offsetting the effects of the SACU drawdown,the primary aim of SAIDA will be to further South Africa’s broader economic and geostrategicinterests.SADC-wide tourist visaNegotiate the introduction of a single SADC Tourist Visa. The visa would allow tourists fromnon-SADC states visiting one or more member states the option of unimpeded travel in theSADC area. The agreement would place obligations on all signatory states to strengthenexternal border posts, and take all appropriate measures to prevent document fraud.Phased drawn-down of SACUNegotiate a phased drawn-down of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) withBotswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland that will see the 2002 SACU Agreementreplaced with a sub-regional Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a precursor to a future regionalCommon Market.71 | P a g e