The Trade Policy and Strategy Framework (TPSF) document was published in 2010 and represents South Africa’s broad approach to trade policy and strategy, following extensive consultations between government and stakeholders in NEDLAC. An update was issued in November 2012, largely focused on updating trade data. The DTIC website now contains regularly-updated and comprehensive trade data on a monthly basis, the latest reflecting the position as at January 2021, which includes trade import and export values for all trading partners.
The TPSF is premised on objectives set out in the National Development Plan to promote and accelerate economic growth along a path that generates sustainable, decent jobs in order to reduce the poverty and extreme inequalities that characterise South African society and economy. It outlines how trade policy and strategy in South Africa can make a contribution to meeting the objectives of upgrading and diversifying the economic base in order to produce and export increasingly sophisticated, value added products that generate employment. Trade policy should support industrial policy.
The TPSF aims to ensure that we preserve the policy space to pursue national objectives while leveraging the benefits of more integrated regional and global markets. This has also informed our approach to a range of trade-related policy areas.
The TPSF recommended strengthening the institutional arrangements for trade policy making in South Africa. Ongoing efforts have been undertaken to improve coordination and consultation within government and between government and stakeholders in Parliament, NEDLAC, research institutions and academia. This work is ongoing.
The TPSF is broadly framed in policy and strategy terms. While there have been changes in the value of trade and rankings amongst trade partners as well as changes in the content of bilateral trade, the strategic thrust and overall orientation of the TPSF to support industrial development in SA remain relevant. The core principles and approach set out in the TPSF continue to offer importance guidance in approaching international trade from an industrial development and transformation perspective.
Application of trade policy needs to be agile, taking account of changes in the trade and policy environment – for example, the position of the previous US Administration on trade matters, the decision of the UK to leave the European Union, the opportunity to expand trade with the rest of the African continent and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on SA national priorities. The policy is reviewed regularly internally and the manner in which it is applied and adjusted are set out from time to time by statements made by the Executive Authority, including in Budget Votes, other statements in Parliament and at the World Trade Organisation. The following trade interventions illustrate how the Trade Policy and Strategy Framework is applied and adjusted to circumstances.
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