DA's Plan for Growth and Jobs - Democratic Alliance

The DA in Government: Western Cape leads Angola Trade MissionIn September 2011, Western Cape Economic Development and Tourism Minister AlanWinde led a 78-company strong national trade delegation to Luanda, Angola, with the aim ofopening up new export markets and growing South Africa’s oil and gas sector. The missionformed part of a strategic initiative by the Western Cape Government to grow the province’sR 1.5 billion repairs and maintenance industry by deepening economic ties with partners inAfrica.Policy outcome: Improved economic ties with Africa and the worldEliminate exchange controlsDismantle South Africa’s exchange control regime. Although restrictions have eased overthe past few years, remnants of the out-dated apartheid era exchange controls remain whichlimit the productivity and allocative efficiency of capital flows, and adds unnecessaryadministrative burdens and transaction costs for firms, ultimately undermining ourcompetitiveness.Negotiate membership of OECDEnter into negotiations with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD) with a view to transition from enhanced engagement to full membership status. Thiswill allow South Africa full access to the policy development and information sharing capacityof the OECD, engage in multi-lateral policy dialogue and benefit from greater integration intothe global economy.Enhance strategic trade diplomacyEnhance South Africa’s strategic trade diplomacy by (i) growing the country’s presence, andseeking strong economic ties with key emerging economies in the Global East and Southand (ii) ensuring that South Africa’s ambassadors and high commissioners are fullyequipped to promote the country’s economic interests abroad by establishing up-to-datetraining and selection criteria. Regarding (i) additional consulates will be opened in Macau(China), Shenzhen (China), Bangalore (India), Hyderabad (India), Rio De Janeiro (Brazil),Istanbul (Turkey) and Sydney (Australia), Surabaya (Indonesia), Guadalajara (Mexico).South Africa is currently underrepresented in these fast-developing trade and investmenthubs, relative to their global economic significance. Regarding (ii) a new curriculum for highcommissioners, ambassadors, and high-level diplomatic officials will be developed that willdraw strongly on the Indian Foreign Service training programme (regarded as a model ofinternational best practice) which will include compulsory modules in economics, tradestrategy and WTO law. This will be carried out by the Department of International Relationsand Cooperation (DIRCO) training facility in Pretoria. In addition, the criteria for candidateselection to senior diplomatic positions will be updated require that candidates demonstrateknowledge and experience in one or more disciplines relevant to trade diplomacy (such aseconomics, international political economy, international trade law and policy, or equivalentbusiness or government experience).72 | P a g e