ISDS Case Map
EPAs
Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and ACP countries (under the Cotonou Agreement)
More than one year after The Bahamas signed onto the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the European Commission has accepted this country's services offer, according to Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba has likened the European Union's trade negotiations with Namibia to the days of apartheid, saying the powerhouse is refusing to treat the country as an equal and listen to its concerns about the controversial economic partnership agreement (EPA).
The European Union, along with powers like the USA and Japan, has long had a policy of establishing economic relations with former colonies that impose the will of imperialism on the economic development of these countries. Supposedly instruments designed for “poverty alleviation”; in reality their main purpose is to open the markets of these poorer countries to goods flowing in from the advanced capitalist nations.
The signing ceremony of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the East and Southern Africa Bloc to which Zambia belongs, raised some eyebrows, but also drew attention to something deeper when Zambia and other members refused to sign.
Durban-based Illovo Sugar -- Africa's biggest producer, majority-owned by British Sugar -- said it plans to raise output by 50 percent to nearly 3 million tonnes in the next five years to cash in on the new tariff-free EU access.
Non-governmental organisations have expressed their satisfaction at the European Commission’s declaration that it would not put "undue pressure" on African and other countries to conclude the controversial trade deals called economic partnership agreements (EPAs).
Germany this week urged Namibia to sign the contentious Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EPA) as the deadline for the controversial trade agreement draws closer.
Services industry practitioners and representatives from the East African region met to discuss and seek ways of building services coalitions to confront challenges in the sector and help unlock the region’s economic potential.
Players in the services industry from across the East Africa Community region are working on a raft of reforms that could unlock potential ahead of the signing of economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with the European Commission.
Former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur has cautioned Caribbean Community (CARICOM) governments that any trade and economic agreement reached with Canada must be "better than what we got from Europe".
