COMESA Business Council CEO, Teddy Soobramanien, spoke in a lively and impactful exchange of discourse with German and European leaders on the competitiveness of the European Recipe for global partnerships at the 2023 Day of Industry in Berlin, Germany.
Along with Koen Doens, Director-General, International Partnerships for the European Commission, and Franziska Brantner, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economics and Climate Protection, Teddy unpacked and shared insightful and dynamic interventions that are key in accelerating the EU Global Gateway Partnership Strategy.
“For the EU’s Global Partnership Strategy to work, there is a need for consistent approaches and investments in the long-term sustainability of the partnership. The EU needs to strengthen the institutions in Africa. More investment in supporting private sector institutions is needed. More targeted support where the problems are, using local resources where possible and building a sustainable long-term partnership,” he noted.
He stressed the fundamental need for investments in the regulatory environment as well as digital infrastructure, soft and hard infrastructure to facilitate and permit the movement of goods towards the creation of real and tangible economic benefits for all.
Teddy further emphasized the need for cooperation based on sustainable partnerships that promote digitization, e-commerce and online platforms that empower vulnerable communities.
“The partnership can become competitive; however, it will require the EU to revisit its approach, build trust, act locally, support local and regional institutions, be practical and invest in infrastructure for meaningful and tangible impact”, he noted.
Director-General for International Partnerships under the European Commission, Koen Doens, shared perspectives on the best ways of optimizing and accelerating the EU Global Gateway Strategy.
Doens, pointed out the need for the EU to invest in solid dialogues with business associations, local actors, the private sector, and local partners in Africa for tangible benefits.
“Impact assessment is key in investments. EU has over the years deployed sustainable infrastructure development and other forms of investments in the African region; SADC, COMESA, EAC etc, but the problem is that this investment has been disconnected, we have been working in silos. The investment is not visible and not linked to hard infrastructure. We need to foster sustainable partnerships that are impactful and meaningful by addressing the real challenges on the ground, he remarked”.
Franziska Brantner, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economics and Climate Protection explored ideas on how the EU can expedite its transition to delivering competitive global partnerships that are sustainable.
‘’ China has been very strategic in combining geo-politics with partnerships in guaranteeing future success of its economy. We are catching up, it’s a race, and I am confident that we can make it”. With the Global Gateway, we are working with smart and strategic approaches that embrace incorporation of partners on the ground”, she remarked..
#TDI offers a multi-facetted dialogue about the #economy, #politics, #science, and #society and represents the flagship event of the Federation of #German Industries (BDI), the umbrella organization of #German #industry and industry-related service providers. The event marks an annual milestone for decision-makers, opinion leaders and innovators from across the #globe.
