|
There is no doubt that the negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union (EU) and Southern Africa have impacted on the regional integration agenda. This workshop will consider the political economy of regional integration initiatives in Southern Africa, including what is driving the various processes (SACU, SADC and the Africa Free Trade Zone). It will seek to deepen understanding of the factors that influence regional integration processes, such as the activities of the private sector, governance structures and the alignment with domestic priorities.
Special attention will be given to the role of partners in the region, specifically the EU. The European Union (EU) still dominates Southern African trade and investment patterns in a largely one-sided set of relationships stitched together with development assistance flows. This can be seen particularly at the level of bilateral relations, but also in terms of regional economic integration in which primarily European donor support and western oriented financial institutions underpin regional institutions and infrastructure development. But the EU is not the only actor in Southern Africa: the United States maintains a substantial presence; China’s footprint is being felt everywhere; and South Africa looms large.
In this light, it is important to understand the key players in the regional integration processes and analyse the growing tensions over the future of African regional economic communities and their trade relations with other countries. Thus the main aim of the inception workshop is to subject Southern African integration to critical scrutiny, using trade and the relationships with partners as the key prism. This will be achieved by stocktaking the integration initiatives within East and Southern Africa and exploring the real economic, institutional and political priorities of critical stakeholders and identify obstacles to the SADC-COMESA-EAC Tripartite Initiative and options for a way forward for regional integration and Southern Africa and EU relations (the EPAs and beyond). The issues established at this workshop will form the core of subsequent high-level dialogues and briefing papers that will hopefully facilitate mutual understanding and identification of policy options for a more effective partnership between the Southern Africa and its key partners, including the EU.
Dates: 1st and 2nd February, 2011
Venue: Aluvi House, 2 Clyde Street, Murrayfield, Pretoria
EVENT REPORT
Download Report - English [.pdf]
List of Particpants - External Link
PROGRAMME
NB: The workshop will be conducted under the Chatham House rule; i.e. speakers cannot be quoted or views attributed to them without their express permission.
Tuesday February 1st 2011 - An internal Southern African Dialogue
09.00 -09.30 Welcome and introduction
Catherine Grant, South African Institute of International Affairs
09.30 – 11.00 Session 1: Stocktaking of the Situation
Presentation on the key dimensions (state of play) of regional economic integration, including SACU, SADC, Tripartite FTA
Moderator: Mzukisi Qobo, South African Institute of International Affairs
Speakers: Xolewa Mlumbi Peters, the Department of Trade and Industry, SA
Anton Faul, Southern Africa Customs Union Secretariat
Gerald Ajumbo, East African Community Secretariat
Representative from SADC Secretariat
11.00 – 11.30 Coffee break
11.30 – 13.00 Session 1: Stocktaking of the Situation continued
Presentation on the state of play of the EPAs and partnership with other partners
Moderator: San Bilal, European Centre for Development Policy
Management
Speakers: Jurgen Hoffman, Namibia Agricultural Trade Forum
Cynthia Chikura, SADC Employers Group
Cerina Mussa, Ministry of Trade and Industry Mozambique
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch break
14.00 – 15.30 Session 2: Identification of Priorities for Informed Policy Dialogue
Given the current state of play with regards to regional economic integration and the political dynamics in the region, this session will focus on identification of priority issues for further practical analysis and policy dialogue in Southern Africa
Moderator: Peter Draper, South African Institute of International Affairs
Speakers: Mupelwa Schilima, Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies
Zodwa Mabuza, Federation of Employers and Chamber of Commerce of Swaziland
Armin Lalui, Imani Development Consulting
15.30- 16:00 Tea break
16:00-17:30 Session 2: Identification of Priorities for Informed Policy Dialogue – Way forward
17:30 End of Workshop Proceedings
Wednesday February 2nd 2011 - A Dialogue with Partners
09.00 – 09.30 Introduction to Day 2
Kathleen Van Hove, European Centre for Development Policy
Management
09.30 – 11.00 Session 3: Regional Integration in Southern Africa and the Role of Partners
Moderator: Talitha Bertelsmann-Scott, Bertelsmann-Scott Consulting
Speakers: Igor Driesmans, EU Delegation to South Africa
Charles Edward Minega, Centre of Studies on Regional Integration and SADC Law, Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM).
Mxolisi Notshulwana, Development Bank of Southern Africa
11.00 – 11.30 Coffee break
11.30 - 13.00 Session 4: Regional integration in practice: various dimensions
Moderator: Niel Joubert, Trade Law Chambers
Speakers: Lambert Botha, Trade Law Chambers
Roman Grynberg, Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Dr Kathleen Hancock, Colorado School of Mines
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14:00 – 16:00 Session 5: How can partners best respond to Southern African Priorities?
Moderators: Catherine Grant (SAIIA) and San Bilal (ECDPM)
Speakers: Zodwa Mabuza, Federation of Employers and Chamber of Commerce of Swaziland
Mark Pearson, Trademark SA
Gerhard Sippel, GIZ Regional Office
Zeinab Partow, World Bank SA
16:00 End of Workshop Proceedings |
