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ECOWAS

Economic Community Of West African States


‘Ghana may lose $150m to EPA’
Nigeria could also lose $680 million annually if the agreements were implemented, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
’No postponement of EPA deadline’ - EU
The European Union has rejected calls by West African states to postpone the end-of-year deadline for concluding a free trade agreement.
India, West Africa to tighten bilateral ties
India decided on October 16 to extend a line of credit of 250 million USD and 100 million USD worth of agricultural and industrial supplying for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It also agreed to sign within the next six months a bilateral investment promotion and protection treaty with Nigeria.
West Africa to miss EU trade partnership deadline
West Africa will miss a Dec. 31 deadline to sign a new trade partnership with the European Union and hopes to keep its preferential commercial privileges for up to two years while it negotiates, a West African official said.
Time to revive active structures for EPA debate...as civil society and EU disagree on sticking points
Amidst controversy, trade liberalisation is fast gaining prominence in Sub-Saharan Africa as the December deadline for the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement draws near. This is attributed partly to the wave of globalisation, regional and bilateral agreements and mainly, pressure from the World Trade Organisation and the European Union.
’EPA is terrorism act’
The EU is doing almost everything possible, both legally and illegally, to get the EPA signed, according to Kwabena Okai Ofosuhene of the Abibimman Foundation in Ghana. “It is very unfortunate and sad that there are key elements within the ECOWAS Commission who are working secretly to enable the EU achieve this.”
EC grants Ecowas 44.8m Euros
The European Commission has approved a total of 44.8 million Euros to support regional integration in West Africa over a period of five years, from 2007 to 2011.
MANEG lists problems of export in ECOWAS sub-region
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Group (MANEG), an arm of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has listed the impediments to pro-export growth in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region.
EU says West Africa trade talks may stretch to 2008
The European Commission is pressing West African governments to negotiate a deal on trade before a WTO waiver on current trade perks expires on December 31, but acknowledged on Thursday a short extension may be needed.
Nigeria: FG urged to spearhead Ecowas negotiations
The Federal Government has been called upon to take the lead in driving the Economic Community of West African States-Economic Partnership Agreement (ECOWAS-EPA) negotiations in order to guide the developing region towards effective regional integration and improved trade practices.
Nigeria: Between trade agreements and poverty impact
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson admitted that if the EPA negotiation does not finish this year, there are options available which he termed as expensive and not so good.
Ecowas looks for good partnership
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has made it clear that it is looking for partnership and development-centred agreements with the European Union and not one that will stifle and ruin their economies.
Gambia Social Forum condemns EU-EPA negotiations
The executive members of the Gambia Social Forum have condemned the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) that is being negotiated between the European Union and ECOWAS member states. They say that these proposed free trade agreements would exacerbate the current agricultural crisis that farmers already face, increase poverty, and violate human rights.
W. Africa accepts year-end EU trade deal deadline
West African countries said on Tuesday they had agreed to conclude a new trade deal with the European Union by the end of this year and drop demands for a two-year delay.
Deadlock of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) in Ouagadougou
EPA negotiators from West Africa and the European Union meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from the 23 -26 January, failed to reach agreement on key issues regarding the results of the mid-term review of the EPA negotiations and the way forward.
Afrique de l’Ouest: APE - Ce que les paysans attendent de la CEDEAO
Le Réseau des organisations paysannes et des producteurs de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ROPPA). Cette organisation est en campagne contre les APE dans leur formule actuelle, et propose de ne pas les signer. Basiaka Dao est le président de la Confédération paysanne du Faso, membre du ROPPA. Il dit en quoi ces accords ne sont pas bons pour les agriculteurs et les économies des pays de la CEDEAO.
West Africa to seek delay to European trade deal
West Africa plans to ask the European Union for a two-year delay to a planned economic partnership agreement (EPA), leaders said at a summit on Friday, but the EU’s executive Commission ruled out a postponement.
ECOWAS seeks extension of agreement with EU
The regional ministerial committee monitoring the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between West Africa and the European Union has requested a three year extension of the 2007 deadline for the conclusion of the negotiations for a free trade area of the two economic blocs.
ECOWAS Ministers endorse controversial EPA deal
The Ministerial Monitoring Committee of the Economic Partnership Agreement, between West Africa and the European Community, have recommended to the sub-regional body to speed up the controversial partnership deal with the European Union.