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The acp-eu-trade.org newsletter -- No. 25/January 2009
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In this issue:
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I. News: Highlights of the month
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II. Selection from the acp-eu-trade.org Library
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III. Resources from Recent Events
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IV. Resources on Upcoming Events
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Dear readers,
Welcome to the January issue of the acp-eu-trade.org newsletter!
This first newsletter of the year gives you a collection of press articles published over the month of January and a selection of documents recently added to the acp-eu-trade.org library. As usual, we also provide some resources on recent and upcoming events relevant to ACP-EU trade relations.
The next issue of Trade Negotiations Insights will be published in February 2009 and will be covered in the next acp-eu-trade.org newsletter.
ACP-EU stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the various services provided via this website with the aim to exchange relevant information, build up trade negotiating capacity and facilitate networking activities. We therefore invite our readers to take an active role in www.acp-eu-trade.org by:
- Registering on-line as a trade and development expert to help mobilise the best expertise in ACP-EU trade and development matters and give interested parties easier access to information on relevant internationally recognized experts or consultants;
- Submitting relevant background and policy documents, news and links that will enrich the ACP-EU trade debate;
- Subscribing to our monthly newsletter as well as other partners' to be kept informed of latest developments in the ACP-EU trade realm;
- Sharing your views on the current ACP-EU Trade debate and providing feedback on the relevance and future focus areas of www.acp-eu-trade.org
We appreciate any feedback on this newsletter and look forward to your reactions. You may send your comments to acpeutrade@ecdpm.org.
Enjoy your reading!
Editors: Corinna Braun-Munzinger (cbm@ecdpm.org) and Stéphanie Colin (sco@ecdpm.org)
** All-ACP **
* Africa: European Parliament Softens Position on EPA Trade Deals
David Cronin, Inter Press Service, 21 January 2009
The European Union's only directly elected body is demanding that a new trade deal between the bloc and Cameroon should not be applied to other countries in central Africa. [
] In a draft resolution, MEPs urge the European Commission, the Union's executive branch, to consider favourably a proposal made by the Central African governments during the EPA talks. Under it, 71 percent of tariffs would be scrapped over two decades and the region would be given five years to prepare to introduce these changes.
Throughout its negotiations aimed at securing the trade deals known as EPAs with almost 80 nations in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, the Commission has argued that at least an 80 percent elimination of tariffs is needed to comply with rules stipulated by the World Trade Organisation.
-> see also: * Letter by NGOs to European Parliament rapporteurs on IEPAs , CIDSE, 8 December 200 8
* EU to Reactivate Dairy Export Subsidies
FlexNews /Reuters, 15 January 2009
The European Union will reactivate export subsidies for a series of dairy products to help struggling exporters compete better on the depressed world market, Europe's farm chief said on Thursday. Suspended since 2007, export subsidies would now be reinstated for butter, cheese and skimmed milk powder (SMP) via a series of regular tenders and trade bids, EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said in Berlin. [
] As part of its negotiating position for the Doha round of world trade talks, the European Union -- the main user of farm handouts and the top payer of export aids -- had pledged to eliminate export subsidies provided that others did the same.
* ACP wants EPAs that contribute to growth and development
ACP Press Statement, 22 December 2008
The 88th Session of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Council of Ministers ended with the Group re-iterating its commitment to conclude an inclusive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union that will contribute to growth, development and enhancement of regional integration. At the close of the meeting last week, ministers and senior officials from 79 ACP States also called on the EU to fully consult with the ACP side as provided for under the Cotonou Partnership Agreement prior to making commitments to third parties that could potentially exert negatively impact on AC-EU Trade. The ministers also expressed regret that it has not been possible to convene, before the end of 2008, the consultation process between the ACP and EU leadership to address concerns and interests, as foreseen and called for at the 6th ACP Summit in October, Ghana. Furthermore, the Council reiterated its resolve to ensure that the high level engagement takes place at the earliest opportunity in 2009 and calls on the Presidency of EU to facilitate the consultations.
-> see also below: Resources from Recent Events
** Caribbean **
* Accord de Partenariat Economique (APE) UE-CARIFORUM: Madeleine de Grandmaison défend les intérêts des DOM
Témoignages, 27 janvier 2009
La Députée Madeleine de Grandmaison est intervenue en Commission Développement du Parlement européen réunie à Bruxelles ce mercredi 21 Janvier. Durant le débat sur la ratification par le Conseil européen de l'Accord de Partenariat Economique (APE) entre le CARIFORUM et l'Union européenne, Madeleine de Grandmaison a vivement défendu le fait que la voix des DOM français de la Caraïbe n'avait pas été suffisamment entendue et prise en compte dans la négociation de l'accord.
* Spain offers technical assistance to CARICOM Development Fund
CARICOM press release, 21 January 2009
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, H. E Edwin Carrington has welcomed an offer from the Kingdom of Spain to provide technical assistance with regards to the mechanics for the management of the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF). The CDF was launched in July 2008 and seeks to provide technical or financial assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. During discussion with a delegation from Spain on Tuesday 20 January at the CARICOM Secretariat's Georgetown headquarters, the Secretary General highlighted the fact that, Spain, having benefited from similar European development funds in the context of its membership of the EU, had a wealth of experience in managing regional funds. [
]Earlier, discussions with a technical team from the Secretariat led by CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General Her Excellency Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite led to the finalization of the process of establishing a CARICOM-Spain Joint Fund, on which the Caribbean Community and Spain recently concluded negotiations.
* European shadow dims Canada-Caribbean trade talks
Ronald Sanders, BBC, 19 January 2009
The fall-out from the controversial Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between the European Union (EU) and individual Caribbean countries has begun to show itself. Two events highlight the legacy of the EPA. The first is the announcement by an official of the Jamaica Finance Ministry, that Jamaica will have to raise its general consumption tax to compensate for revenues that the government will lose from the removal of tariffs on EU imports over time. The second event is a statement by Guyana's President Bharat Jagdeo that the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) can't speak for Guyana at the forthcoming negotiations of a Free Trade Agreement between Caribbean countries and Canada.
* Displaced banana farmers in Jamaica get EU assistance
Caribbean Net News, 10 January 2009
The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the European Union (EU) on January 7, signed 11 small grant contracts amounting to $11 million, to help former workers in Jamaica's banana industry undertake alternative business ventures. The grants represent the final component of a $400 million contract, which was signed between RADA and the European Commission in 2007, for the overall management and coordination of the diversification component of the EU Banana Support Programme (EUBSP).
** West Africa **
* Introduction ou non des services dans les Ape : Un débat perdu d'avance, selon des professionnels du secteur
Nd. M. Gaye, Walf Fadjri, 23 janvier 2009
Les professionnels sénégalais des services n'apprécieraient pas une inclusion du commerce des services dans les Ape. Certains prédisent même un échec.
Elles ne sont pas encore engagées formellement, mais les négociations sur l'inclusion ou non du commerce des services dans les Accords de partenariat économique (Ape) entre l'Union européenne (Ue) et l'Afrique de l'Ouest risquent d'être un débat infructueux. D'ores et déjà, des voix s'élèvent du côté de cette partie du continent noir pour dénoncer l'inégalité qui existe dans l'attribution des marchés publics et le problème d'implantation des Africains en Europe. Ce qui n'est pas le cas pour les Européens en Afrique.
* Lutte contre les APE
Yves Niyiragira, AU Monitor /Ouestafnews, 19 janvier 2009
Des responsables de l'organisation non gouvernementale Enda Tiers-monde, basée à Dakar, ont exprimé leur inquiétude de voir l'Union européenne (UE) se sentir libre d'imposer ses exigences sur les Accords de partenariat économique (APE), devant la « démobilisation » des pays de la zone ouest africaine et le relâchement du contrôle exercé sur les négociateurs, a-t-on appris de source informée.
Un an après les grandes périodes de mobilisation contre les Accords de partenariat économique (APE) prônés par l'UE,«nous nous sentons un peu déçus'», a déclaré au cours d'une conférence de presse Tawfiq Ben Abdallah, coordonnateur de programme à Enda Tiers-monde. Evoquant la faible mobilisation actuelle contre les APE, M. Ben Abdallah cité par l'Agence de presse sénégalaise (APS) a ajouté qu'il «ne se passe plus grand-chose» mais «peut-être que les motivations politiques de départ n'existent plus».
** Central Africa **
* Martin Abéga : L'Etat doit exiger une bonne compensation financière
Mutations /Cameroon-Info, 23 janvier 2009
Entretien avec le Secrétaire Exécutif du Groupement inter patronal du Cameroun sur les conséquences de l'accord d'étape signé par le Cameroun et l'UE.
* Compensation aux pertes de recettes liées à l'APE - 396 milliards de F Cfa en négociation
Bakary Dabo, Sud Quotidien, 23 janvier 2009
Interpellé en marge d'un séminaire régional de deux jours sur les services et l'investissement, ouvert ce jeudi 22 janvier à Dakar, M. Gilles Hervio a fait savoir qu'il est prévu beaucoup de choses par l'Union européenne (Ue) pour accompagner les pays ayant accepté de signer l'Ape.
Selon lui, « le principe même d'un accord de libre échange doit favoriser le développement économique des pays africains. Ça va relancer l'économie du continent en faisant baisser un certain nombre de coût y compris pour les consommateurs mais aussi pour les coûts de production ». C'est dans ce cadre qu'il a fait savoir que : « au niveau régional, on a prévu des sommes importantes de l'ordre de 600 millions d'euros qui sont en train d'être négociées pour répondre aux soucies soulever par des pays comme le Sénégal d'avoir l'accompagnement du développement ». Ce qui, à son avis, « va d'abord viser à aider à la mise à niveau des entreprises mais aussi donner des aides budgétaires pour compenser les effets des pertes de recette liés à l'Ape. ».
* Ape intérimaire : Le Cameroun perdra 13 000 milliards Fcfa en 20 ans
Brice R. Mbodiam, Mutations/Cameroon-Info, 20 janvier 2009
Selon une étude du ministère des Finances, c'est la conséquence de l'accord signé le 15 janvier dernier avec l'Union européenne. [
]A en croire cette étude confiée à un groupe de travail du Minfi auquel a collaboré Arnauld Christian Emini, chercheur et enseignant à l'Université de Yaoundé II, à cause de cet accord d'étape régissant désormais le commerce entre le Cameroun et l'Union européenne, l'Etat camerounais, qui ne peut pas démentir le besoin impératif de mobilisation de fonds publics ; va perdre entre 4 et 129 milliards Fcfa de recettes fiscalo-douanières entre 2010 et 2023. De quoi construire un millier de salles de classes et autant de centres de santé dans les zones reculées du pays. Ces pertes sèches vont même atteindre 233 milliards Fcfa en 2030. Selon la même étude, les statistiques de l'impact de cet accord sur la période 2010-2030 pour l'économie camerounaise en général sont ahurissantes : manque à gagner de 29 milliards de Fcfa en 2010, avant d'atteindre un cumul de 7.000 et 13.000 milliards Fcfa respectivement en 2023 et 2030.
* Centrafrique : Fin du séminaire des parlementaires sur l'Accord de partenariat économique (APE) avec l'Union Européenne
Sébastien Lamba, Agence Centrafrique Presse, 15 janvier 2009
Le séminaire des parlementaires d'Afrique Centrale sur l'Accord de partenariat économique (APE) avec l'Union Européenne a pris fin, mercredi 14 janvier 2009, avec l'adoption de 8 recommandations destinées à renforcer les capacités de la sous-région dans les négociations commerciales. Après 3 jours de débats, les quatre vingt participants ont en effet recommandé la création d'un institut de renforcement des capacités en matière de formulation, négociation et mise en uvre des politiques commerciales ainsi que la création d'une agence de coopération régionale pour le développement, la protection de l'environnement et la formation industrielle pour la valorisation des ressources naturelles.
** ESA **
* New law for EAC trade deals
Evelyn Njoroge, Capital Business, 23 January
East African Community (EAC) partner States can now negotiate as a bloc in all matters relating to regional and multinational trade following the enactment of the East African Trade Negotiations Act, 2008. The Act has provisions for the development and adoption of a common trade regime and cooperation in matters of trade policy while allowing member States to establish national trade negotiations committees to prepare national positions on issues of negotiations at the regional or multilateral level. The Act seeks to facilitate the promotion of regional and international trade for sustainable development of the members and establish a mechanism for joint negotiations in bilateral, regional and multilateral trade, a statement from the EAC Ministry said.
* Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Core Group of Ministers meet on EPA negotiations
e-COMESA newsletter, Issue #188, 23rd January 2009
The ESA EPA core group of Ministers from Ethiopia Honourable Ahmed Tusa, Mauritius- Honourable Dr Boollel, and Zambia Honourable Felix Mutati met in Lusaka, Zambia on 20th January 2009, to discuss alternative options for the outstanding contentious issues regarding the ongoing negotiations of EPAs. [
] In their deliberations, the ministers stressed the need for EPA to serve as instruments for development and fostering regional integration in the ESA region. To take care of social and economic adjustment costs related to trade liberalization under EPAs, and also in view of the global financial and economic crisis, Ministers called on cooperating partners to mobilize and provide sufficient development resources to the ESA region. They further called on the EC to exercise adequate flexibility regarding the contentious issues in order to move the negotiations forward and to support ESA development objectives. As a way forward, the Ministers resolved to intensify political engagement at both ESA and EC levels. The next full ESA Council of Ministers is planned for the first half of February.
* COMESA topples EU market for Ugandan exports
Aggrey Nshekanabo, East African Business Week, 11 January 2009
Preliminary figures at the Uganda Export Promotions Board (UEPB) indicate that the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) is now the leading destination market of Uganda 's merchandise exports toppling the European Union (EU) market. Exports to COMESA countries resulted in total income in excess of US$506million compared to the European Union market which brought in slightly above US$324million. UEPB's executive director, Ms. Florence Kata said this is attributable to increased investments in re-exports and wholesale trade in manufactured merchandise.
* ESA EPA signature planned for April in Mauritius
Jean Marc Poché, 22 December 2008
Arvin Boolell, Mauritian Foreign minister, announced on Monday to ambassadors posted in Mauritius, that the island will host the signature ceremony of the EPA interim agreement between ESA and European commission in April 2009 Here is an extract from the minister's speech.
** SADC **
* SA leading charge to amend EU trade deal
Mathabo le Roux, Business Day, 19 January 2009
SA, NAMIBIA and Angola have sent the European Union (EU) a letter on an official South African letterhead and signed by the three countries' ambassadors reiterating concern about the interim economic partnership agreement (EPA), and urging the EU to allow more time before the pact is signed. This puts the future of the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) again under a cloud. It is understood new EU Trade Commissioner Baroness Catherine Ashton will now travel to SA in the first week of next month to win over SA and attempt to broker a deal. [..] The letter, dated January 8, comes despite an extremely open-handed offer extended by the EU in December, which proposes to align the EPA with SA's existing trade arrangement with the EU, the trade, development and co-operation agreement (TDCA). The offer would essentially allow Sacu to maintain its common external tariff cited by SA as one of the primary threats to the customs union. The offer had an additional upside for SA as it would delay SA's tariff liberalisation commitments under the TDCA, and give it better access to the European market.
After initially reacting positively, hailing the proposal as an important development, SA hardened its stance. SA's chief trade negotiator Xavier Carim said last week the new offer constituted a short-term, partial solution". The main concerns detailed in the letter include: the fact that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was negotiating EPAs under four different configurations, hampering regional integration; long-term trade policy divisions that would stem from different commitments under the different EPA; and lack of flexibility of the EU on concerns raised by SA, Angola and Namibia.
* The East and Southern Africa Free Trade Zone
Kimani, Mary, African Renewal /United Nations /tralac, 19 Janaury 2009
Leaders from across East and Southern Africa agreed in October last year to form the largest free trade area in the continent, comprising of three existing regional groupings the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Kenyan President and COMESA Chairperson Mwai Kibaki emphasised at an economic summit in Kampala, Uganda recently that the move is being made in response to the new global challenges facing Africa.
** Pacific **
* Pacific ACP countries and Timor Leste agree in priority areas for 10th EDF Regional Indicative Programme
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, press statement, 21 January 2009
Representatives of the Pacific ACP countries together with Timor Leste have agreed on a number of high priority areas to be developed into project proposals to be considered for funding under the 10th EDF Regional Indicative Programme of the European Commission. [
] The funding will cover two focal areas: Regional Economic Integration ( REI ) is allocated 45 million Euros and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Environment (SMNRE) is allocated 40 million Euros. A non focal area was allocated 10 million Euros.
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II. Selection from the acp-eu-trade.org Library
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* Fact-sheets on interim Economic Partnership Agreements
European Commission, 27 January 2009
New fact-sheets, presenting an overview of interim (goods-only) Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with African, Caribbean and Pacific ( ACP ) countries are now available. They detail the state of play and include main features of each interim EPA, and present the way ahead.
- General overview
- Southern African Development Countries group (SADC)
- Cameroon ( Central Africa )
- Ivory Coast and Ghana
- Pacific region
- Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA)
- East African Community (EAC)
* Petition from Traidcraft to EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton
19 December 2008
-> Answer to the petition from EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton to Traidcraft
* Interim Agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Central African Party, of the other part , signed on 15 January 2009, published by the European Commission EN FR
-> * Interim Economic Partnership Agreements Central Africa: Cameroon
Memo, European Commission, 15 January 2009
This memo note covers the state of play, the main features of the interim EPA with Cameroon and the state of play of the full EPA negotiations with Central Africa as of November 2008.
* Implementation of the CARIFORUM-EC EPA
Special RNM Update, 13 January 2009
This update addresses: the provisional application, the WTO Transparency Mechanism, the RPTF, the State of Play , EPA Implementation issues and recent Activities.
* The EC-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement : Assessing The Outcomes on Services and Investment
Pierre Sauvé and Natasha Ward, ECIPE, January 2009
This recent paper examines the extent to which services and investment provisions in the CARIFORUM EPA advance liberalization, its implications for development in the region, and policy lessons it provides for Africa and the Pacific. The Agreement not only represents a precedent-setting evolution in preferential trade agreements, but it also sets a high standard for all subsequent EPA negotiations. In this ECIPE study, it is made clear how a well-negotiated agreement between highly unequal partners can nonetheless generate outcomes that offer tangible benefits to the weaker player. The report brings a welcome positive outlook to the much-maligned EPA process.
* Interim agreement establishing a framework for an Economic Partnership Agreement between Eastern and Southern Africa States on the one part and the European Community and its Member States on the other part , published on 23 December 2008 by the Council of the European Union as annex to the proposal for a Council decision on the signature and provisional application of the agreement
-> For the liberalisation schedules, see www.acp-eu-trade.org/epa/agreements.php
* Interim Partnership Agreement between the Pacific States of the one part, and the European Community of the other part , published by the Council of the European Union, 22 December 2008, as annex to the Proposal for a Council Decision on the signature and provisional application of the agreement
-> For the liberalisation schedules, see www.acp-eu-trade.org/epa/agreements.php
* The contribution of services to development and the role of trade liberalisation and regulation
Massimiliano Cali et al., ODI Working Paper No. 298, December 2008
The service sector makes an important contribution to gross domestic product ( GDP ) in most countries, providing jobs, inputs and public services for the economy. Trade in services can improve economic performance and provide a range of traditional and new export opportunities. However, services liberalisation also carries risks, and appropriate regulation and other complementary policies help to ensure that liberalisation delivers the expected benefits. This paper reviews the literature on these issues for six service sectors (tourism, financial services, energy services, information and communications technology and Mode IV).
* A better future for Africa - Recommendations from the private sector
Confederation of Danish Industries, December 2008
The Danish Confederation of Industries has taken the initiative to gather recommendations for the Africa Commission from the eight business associations that make up the Eastern and Southern African Business Membership Organization Network (the ESA BMO Network) in view of presenting its final recommendations in May 2009.
* EPAs and the Demise of the Commodity Protocols
Alan Matthews, Institute for International Integration Studies, Trinity College Dublin , IIIS Discussion Paper No. 258, August 2008
With the entry into force of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) [
], the three commodity protocols [
] which benefited ACP exporters of sugar, bananas and beef have been terminated or shortly will be. This paper reviews the reasons for the termination of these protocols, and investigates whether EPAs help to maintain the economic benefits they provided to ACP exporters or whether they accelerate the erosion of these benefits. We conclude that EPAs extend the benefits of the banana and beef protocols but that the ending of the sugar protocol has more ambiguous effects. Other changes separate from EPAs have also contributed to the erosion of the benefits provided by the protocols.
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III. Resources from Recent Events
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* Meeting on Realising the Development Dimensions of the Economic Partnership Agreements, hosted by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma
27 January, London
The European Union will be represented by EU Commissioner for Trade Baroness Ashton and a senior official responsible for development. The ACP will be represented by 12 Ministers from the regions that are still negotiating Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the EU, as well as ACP Secretary-General Sir John Kaputin. The senior technical trade negotiators from the concerned ACP regions will also be present
-> Press release , Commonwealth Secretariat, 23 January 2009
* International Economic Forum on Latin America and the Caribbean 2009
26 January 2009 , Paris
Organised by the OECD Development Centre, the French Ministry of Finance, the Inter-American Development Bank and UBIFRANCE
-> Information on the OECD website, including presentations and links to press articles EN FR
-> Agenda EN FR
* European Parliament International Trade Committee Meeting
20 January 2009
-> Presentation by Martin Ríman, Czech Minister of Industry and Trade , highlighting the aims of the Czech Presidency in the area of trade
* EAC Workshop on non-tariff barriers
19 January, Nairobi
The workshop sought to validate findings of a World Bank study that uncovered many Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) placed on goods traded within the bloc. It confirmed the concerns of the local business community who have been complaining of the many non-tariff barriers they encounter in cross border trade.
-> Press article, George Omondi, Business Daily, 19 January 2009
* South Africa EU Ministerial Troika Meeting
16 January, Kleimond
-> Final communiqué
* CEMAC Council of Ministers Meeting
19 December, Bangui
-> Final Communiqué
* ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit
19 December, Abuja
-> Press release, ECOWAS, 19 December 2008 EN FR
* ACP Council of Ministers Meeting
16-18 December 2008, Brussels
-> ACP wants EPAs that contribute to growth and development , ACP Press Statement, 22 December 2008
-> ACP rejects proposals to drastically reduce current applied banana rate , ACP Press Statement, 22 December 2008
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IV. Resources on Upcoming Events
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* Informal Meeting of EU Development Ministers
Prague , 29 - 30 January
-> Information on the website of the Czech Presidency of the EU EN FR
* Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee meeting on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)
30 January 2009 , Bridgetown
Agenda items include the Free Movement of Persons and the Caribbean Development Fund.
-> Press release , CARICOM, 23 January 2009
* CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting
31 January, Barbados
Heads of government are expected to decide on whether the negotiating body will fall under the umbrella of the regional grouping.
-> Press article: BBC Caribbean News in Brief , 13 January
* West African regional meeting on the draft EPA Development Programme (PAPED)
2-4 February, Accra
-> earlier version of the draft PAPED (25 December 2008)
* EC-Central Africa technical and senior officials EPA negotiations
Central African Region, early February 2009 (to be confirmed)
* SADC-EC EPA technical negotiations
4-6 February 2009, Brussels,
* EC-Central Africa Negotiations on services
4-7 February 2009, Libreville
* SADC-EC EPA senior officials and ministerial meeting
9-11 February 2009
* Africa-EU Business and Development Event organized by okra eXpress
12 February, London
This event will stimulate discussions on business opportunities for sustained development in some of these African countries.
-> Conference webpage
* EC-West Africa Technical and Senior Officials EPA negotiations and Regional Preparatory Task Force meeting
16-20 February 2009, Dakar
* 3rd Regional Meeting of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly
24-27 February 2009, Georgetown
-> adoption of the agenda planned at the Bureau Meeting on 10-11 February.
* Regional Information Seminar on the EU-Central Africa EPA
25-26 February 2009, Douala
Organised by the European Commission
* EAC-EC EPA negotiations
10-11 March, Mombasa
* World Bank Institute course on International trade in services
23-31 March, Washington
The objective of this course is to provide a thorough understanding of the issues related to liberalization of trade in services, and its role in economic development. The course is both a useful reference for services trade practitioners in governments, advisory bodies, and the private sector, as well as an indispensable learning tool for stakeholders approaching services trade for the first time.
-> Course details and registration
* Chatham House Conference: Investing in Africa's Emerging Markets
7 May 2009, London
This conference focuses on the immediate and long term prospects for investing in Africa's fastest emerging economies. Issues to be discussed include the business climate, the future of the financial sector, Foreign Direct Investment in Africa as well as opportunities for growth in emerging sectors.
-> Agenda
-> Registration
-> Conference webpage , including list of keynote speakers and logistical information