The funding allocated for Bilateral programme for the financial year 2009/10 is £245 000.00. These funds are devolved to the Heads of Mission should be used to enhance the bilateral relationship with host governments and support post objectives. The fund can also play a key role in supporting bilateral relationships and enhancing UK’s profile in SA.

Purpose

To enhance the bilateral relationship with host governments and support post objectives

Main Programme Objectives:

• Make an important contribution to FCO priorities
• Raise the profile of the Post and/or HMG
• Support the host government or civil society in an area that strengthens the bilateral relationship with the UK.

These can be achieved by sponsored visits or projects.

Sponsored visits

A sponsored visit is a visit to the UK by a foreign national that has been tailored to meet the specific objectives of the UK and the host country. The main purpose of Sponsored Visits is to facilitate the relationship between British High Commission (BHC) and a wide section of South African society. For a Sponsored Visit to be approved, there should be a strong, demonstrable link to Post’s objectives (which visits should always support).

Under Bilateral programme, visits to the UK can be planned for a range of experts and opinion formers from overseas. They include senior politicians, academics, business people, senior officials from SA ministries, trade unionists and journalists. Visits could cover a wide range of topics from general politics and economics through to more specific themes such as congestion charging, law and order, climate change, environment enforcement, human rights, organic food and inward investment.