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EU wins the battle for reciprocal trade access in Africa
The six African countries threatened with losing access to the European single market have finally agreed to sign the EU’s Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). But the continent’s regional integration may suffer as a result. EurActiv France reports.
Brussels to end preferential trade access for uncooperative African countries
The EU plans to raise the pressure on six African countries to implement controversial free trade agreements by putting an end to their preferential access to the EU market.
Swaziland to eliminate barriers to ratification, approval of Tripartite FTA
Swaziland will eliminate in any way possible barriers to the ratification and approval of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA).
EPAs will not benefit EU, ACP countries - experts
Some experts view the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) as an instrument that will neither benefit the European Union (EU) nor Africa Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in the long run.
SADC intra-regional trade pathetic
Intra-regional trade is really pathetic within the Southern African Development Community, says United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Senior Regional Agriculture Programme Manager Cecilia Kuphe.
Kingdom to host 3rd COMESA meet
Swaziland will next week host the third meeting of the COMESA committee on the Customs Union.
SD, Lesotho signed EPA under duress - Guduza
Speaker in the House of Assembly Prince Guduza says Swaziland and Lesotho signed the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) under duress.
SADC Churches discuss SACU
A regional SACU civil society conference has recommended that there is a need for a broader regional agenda anchored on the strength of small economies in the region.
COMESA summit underway in Swaziland
The private sector has been urged to actively participate in the formulation of policies that will help guide the proposed Free Trade Area of COMESA, East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Swaziland: Not much benefit in preferential trade agreement
A decade after the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), a preferential US trade agreement, became law on 18 May 2000, there are questions over the benefits, if any, derived from the initiative.
SA to give BLS nations ultimatum on EPAs
In the latest twist of events, South Africa is reported to have ‘changed tunes’ and has decided to let Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (BLS) ratify their interim Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union (EU).
EU signs interim trade deal with 3 S African countries
The European Union signed an interim trade deal on Thursday with the Southern African countries of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.
Policy delay hits textile industry
Policy paralysis in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) is compounding problems for the region’s struggling clothing and textiles industry.
’Doha Round talks undermining regional integration’
The ongoing Doha round of World Trade Organisation talks is seen to be undermining regional integration and economic development efforts by African countries, analysts have noted.
’EPAS a threat to services, investment’
The European Union (EU) continues to come under fire for employing ’under-handed’ tactics to get African countries, including Swaziland, to conclude a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (EPA) with it.
’We’ve messed up’ on EPAs - trade experts
Even though Swaziland initialled an interim economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the European Union, trade experts acknowledge that the country ’messed up’ by doing so.
EU-SADC interim FTA (2007)
Initialled by Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique on 23 November 2007
SD urged to lead EPA negotiations
The country has been urged to play a leading role in the finalisation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Taiwan willing to sign free trade agreement with SD
Taiwanese Ambassador Leonard Chao has pledged his country’s willingness to sign a free trade agreement with Swaziland.
The implications of an Economic Partnership Agreement
Swaziland will be forced to open up her market to foreign EU exports as a result of an EPA. This will have a devastating impact on local industries to the extent that they would have to adjust due to competition.