4. Discussions: . Because of the EDD's cross-cutting mandate, its work will be enhanced by strong partnerships and co-operation between other departments and public service institutions. . A growth path is in the process of being developed, which will be tabled to cabinet in June 2010. . Minister Patel said that NEDLAC would be an important system which will be utilized in Programme 4, which deals with social dialogue. He noted that the Department had a sub-programme that deals specifically with social partnering and national social dialogue. . With regard to public procurement, the Minister noted that an entire workstream has been created that deals with procurement and development, which inter alia deals with identification of opportunities to improve local procurement. . Minister Patel emphasized that the Strategic Plan sets out the medium term framework for the EDD, which requires a phased, step-by-step implementation plan. . According to the Minister, the staff structure had been approved in 2009, where key priority posts had been advertised and short listing was taking place. According to the Minister, the key issue is the phased approach of implementation.