SADC/EPA meeting on Wednesday

19 June, 2007 in Botswana, Business

source: BOPA
18 June, 2007

GABORONE- The European Commission and SADC civil society representatives will meet in Windhoek Namibia on June 20 to discuss and help steer the design of new trade rules under a future Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

A news release from European Commission Delegation says participants will get a unique chance to air their views at a crucial stage of negotiations and get an insight into the EPA, which will link the two regions.

The release says the EPAs represent a major overhaul of trade relations with Europe and high-ranking government officials who are among key speakers together with representatives from the SADC Secretariat.

The release says the seminar will gather a wide range of participants from the SADC EPA region to discuss how these agreements can deliver development.

Economic Partnership Agreements are being negotiated between the EU and six regional groupings of African, Caribbean and Pacific nations.

Their objective is to promote sustainable development in ACP countries. Negotiations are due to be concluded by the end of the year.

The SADC EPA group negotiating with the EU is composed of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Tanzania. BOPA