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EPAs

Be Wary of Economic Partnership Agreements - Hormeku
7-Oct-2012
Mr Tetteh Hormeku, Head of Programmes, Third World Network - Ghana, has urged African governments to be wary of the European Union’s agenda to perpetuate and deepen liberalization through the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
St Kitts and Nevis seeking an extension on EPA deadlines
29-Sep-2012
The St. Kitts-Nevis government remains concerned that it could come out worse off if it starts to implement duty free access for European goods coming into the federation and it is seeking an extension in implementing certain measures under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) that it and other Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) countries signed with Europe in 2008.
EU Backs Down On EPA Deadline
22-Sep-2012
Namibia, and other ACP countries, are celebrating a victory in trade negotiations after the European Parliament voted to extend the deadline for the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union from January 2014 to January 2016.
MPs move to block signing of EPAs
22-Sep-2012
Legislators, trade experts and analysts have described the delayed signing of the Economic Partnerships Agreement (EPAs) as a detriment to development of trade among developing nations.
Botswana dodges a bullet in EPA talks
22-Sep-2012
Botswana has escaped the imposition of an amendment which would have charged higher duties on the country’s exports to the European Union after 2014 thereby dealing a deathblow to local sectors such as agriculture, minerals and manufacturing.
Not yet Uhuru as long as interests of capitalist economies persist
22-Sep-2012
It cannot be Uhuru yet for Namibia and its partners, or should one say fellow downtrodden countries united in the economic bloc of the African-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) countries.
EAC Sceptical of Trade Agreements With Europe
22-Sep-2012
In his keynote address on the role of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements in fostering trade and development in Africa early this year, former Tanzanian president, Benjamin William Mkapa, raised critical questions and warned East African Community (EAC) countries that signing an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) would deny the region chances to develop into industrialized nations.
Pacific leaders urged to wrap up talks on trade deal
29-Aug-2012
Pacific members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) were urged Tuesday to wrap up talks on a trade deal with the European Union this year.
Negotiations between EAC, EPA on track despite hitches
27-Aug-2012
East Africa Community (EAC) General Secretary, Dr Richard Sezibera said despite progress made in the ongoing negotiations in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, there were still contentious issues to be addressed.
Meeting vital to meet minsters deadline
24-Aug-2012
Pacific-African, Caribbean and Pacific (PACP) trade officials and ministers met in Nuku’alofa, Tonga earlier this month to discuss key issues, which included the Management of PACP Group, Fiji’s participation in the PACP and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations with the EU.
‘No doubts’ in Caribbean forging ahead with EPA says official
22-Aug-2012
A top Caribbean Forum (Cariforum) executive wants to put to rest doubts that region will not be able to capitalise on the opportunities offered by the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed into effect between CARIFORUM and the European Union (EU) since 2008.
Pacific could be pushed into unwanted deals
7-Aug-2012 Fiji Times
As the start of trade talks on a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union nears, African Caribbean Pacific countries have been urged by Fiji’s trade minister not to allow themselves to be forced into a deal that undermines each country’s independence.
Call to accelerate regional integration
28-Jul-2012
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat secretary general, Tuiloma Neroni Slade wants the region to intensify and accelerate its efforts towards regional integration.
EPA official dismisses claims of feet dragging
8-Jul-2012
A top official in charge of Antigua & Barbuda’s implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has struck aside charges that the state has been dragging its feet on giving effect to the pact signed in 2008 with the European Union (EU)
AfDB Warns Zim on EPAS
2-Jul-2012
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has warned Zimbabwe that opening its domestic markets to the European Union under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs), exposes local industries to unfair competition.
EU losing patience
29-Jun-2012 Jamaica Gleaner
European Union says Jamaica risking credibility with failure to act on partnership agreement
Agreement with Europe begins to kick
29-Jun-2012 Caribbean 360
A statement credited to Alexander Walford, Policy Officer of the Caribbean-European Union in the European Commission, says that eight Caribbean countries have not implemented tariff cuts on EU goods as required by the Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2008.
’ACP countries won’t bow to EU pressure’
15-Jun-2012
The African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries has said it would not bow to pressure by the European Union to sign the Economic Partnership Agreements, until there is a mutually beneficial position that does not threaten regional integration.
Trade pact with Europe still a tough sell to Africa, Pacific bloc
14-Jun-2012 IPS
Caught between a proverbial rock and a hard place, African and Pacific countries are still unsure whether they should follow the lead of their Caribbean counterparts and sign a wide-ranging Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe.
Exporters at risk over delays in EPAs deal
10-Jun-2012
Kenya could lose heavily if Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are not signed, Musa Sirma, East African Community (EAC) minister said.