ISDS Case Map
EAC
The African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) will be launched on 7 July 2019 in Niamey, Niger, by the Heads of State and Government at an extraordinary summit of the African Union.
German scholar Prof Helmut Asche today April 15, said that Tanzania has good reasons not to sign the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union (EU).
The deadline set by the Tripartite Council of Ministers for member States of three regional economic blocs to sign and ratify the tripartite free trade area lapses this month.
There is seemingly little economic incentive for Tanzanian President Magufuli to sign up to the EPA. Tanzania could already export its goods to the EU market under the ‘Everything But Arms’ agreement.
Tanzania is in talks with EU to resolve some technicalities and will only sign the agreement after all its issues have been ironed out.
Seatini said East African countries should find alternative ways to finance development projects rather than depend on public-private partnerships and bilateral investment treaties, which have cost the region dearly.
The UK-Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Trade Continuity Agreement is meant to replicate the Economic Partnership Agreement that the East African Community is yet to sign with the European Union.
The discussion on the EPA took place during the East Africa Community summit, with Tanzania insisting that it must be allowed more time to send experts to EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, to present its grievances.
East African countries can individually sign separate trade agreements with the European Union if a joint deal is not reached within the next four months.
Kenya is asking that EAC partner states adopt the variable geometry, a move that would be viewed as counter to regional integration.
