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The acp-eu-trade.org newsletter -- No. 39/May 2010
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In this issue:
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I. Trade Negotiations Insights
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II. News: Highlights of the month

II.1 All-ACP
II.2 Caribbean
II.3 West Africa
II.4 Eastern and Southern Africa
II.5 Southern Africa
II.6 Central Africa
II.7 Pacific

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III. Selection from the acp-eu-trade.org Library
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IV. Resources from Recent and on Upcoming Events
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Dear readers,

Welcome to the May issue of the acp-eu-trade.org newsletter!

Below you will find a link to the May issue of Trade Negotiations Insights, a collection of press articles published during the past month and a selection of recently added documents in the acp-eu-trade.org library. As usual, we also provide some resources on recent and upcoming events relevant to ACP-EU trade relations.

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 this 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: Mélissa Dalleau (md@ecdpm.org) and Takesh Luckho (tlu@ecdpm.org)

I. Trade Negotiations Insights

 
The May issue of Trade Negotiations Insights (TNI), a joint monthly publication by ICTSD and ECDPM, is available online at: www.ictsd.org/tni/index.htm and www.acp-eu-trade.org/tni.
 

NEW Trade Negotiations Insights, Vol.9, No.5, June 2010

Trade Negotiations Insights, Vol.9, No.4, May 2010


Eclairage sur les négociations, Vol.9, No.4, Mai 2010


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II. News: Highlights
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** All-ACP **

* Anne-Marie IDRAC demande à la Commission Européenne de réorienter la négociation sur les Accords de partenariat économique entre l’Union Européenne et l’Afrique [French Only]
African Press Organisation, 19 May 2010
Lors du Débat Parlementaire hier soir mardi 18 mai 2010 à l’Assemblée nationale concernant le rapport relatif aux Accords de partenariat économique (APE) de Hervé Gaymard et Jean-Claude Fruteau, Anne-Marie IDRAC, Secrétaire d’Etat chargée du Commerce extérieur a fait part de son plein accord sur les recommandations du rapport parlementaire qui reprend les propositions de l’initiative française sur les APE présentée à Bruxelles en octobre 2009. Anne-Marie IDRAC a indiqué qu’il était nécessaire de restaurer une relation de confiance entre l’Union européenne et ses partenaires de l’Afrique, des Caraïbes et du Pacifique (ACP) car « après de longues années de négociation, les résultats ne sont pas à la hauteur des enjeux et l’Europe ne peut se satisfaire d’un partenariat en demi-teinte avec les pays ACP ». Ces accords ont été négociés avec un prisme commercial au détriment d’objectifs de développement de l’économie et des infrastructures des pays ACP. Anne-Marie IDRAC a précisé que « les APE devaient être de véritables accords de développement pour les pays ACP ».

* ACP’s New Leadership Team
ACP Press Statement, 3 May 2010
The Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has announced the appointments of his new Assistant Secretaries-General of the organisation. The appointments came at the end of a competitive, regional search process that involved many candidates from four of the six regions of the ACP Group. The new appointees are: Mrs Nthisana Matlhogonolo Philips of Botswana (Southern Africa) as Assistant Secretary-General, Head of the Department of Administration, Finance and Human Resources; Mr Achille Bassilekin III from Cameroon (Central Africa) as Assistant Secretary-General, Head of the Department of Sustainable Economic Development and Trade; Ms Michele Dominique Raymond of Haiti (Caribbean) as  Assistant Secretary-General, Head of the Department of Political Affairs and Human Development and; Mr Paulo S. Kautoke from Tonga (Pacific) as Assistant Secretary-General, Head of the Department of Macro-Economics, Development Finance and Intra-ACP Programming.

* ACP banana producers feel “betrayed” by EU
europolitics.info,via Fresh Plaza, 30 April 2010
Representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries were lobbying for greater assistance for their banana exports to Europe to compensate for the EU’s improving trade relations with Latin America at the European Parliament and Commission in Brussels, on 29 April. Cameroon’s Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, representing the ACP, said he would challenge MEPs and the Commission to go further than the €190 million package proposed by the European Commission, on 17 March, to help banana producing ACP countries adapt to the new trade regime since it resolved its trade dispute with Latin America and the United States, resulting in cuts to import tariffs on Latin American bananas. The minister argued that even with the ‘banana accompanying measures’, ACP countries had been “betrayed” by the EU.“We don’t want indefinite support,” he said. “We are asking for accompanying measures to be able to participate in a globalised world, we are asking to be partners,” he added. “Isn’t Europe actually turning its back on our countries?” he challenged. “Isn’t there a kind of falling out of love – I don’t want to talk about divorce – but a kind of falling out of love with Africa?” he asked.

* [off the track] ECA and European Union to deepen partnerships on development issues
ECA Press Release No. 32/2010, 11 May 2010
The European Union ‘s (EU) Commissioner for Development, Mr. Andris Piebalgs, said at the weekend in Addis Ababa that the EU was interested in forging deeper partnership with the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), on various development issues, including climate change and land ownership in Africa. Mr. Piebalgs, who led an EU delegation on a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of ECA, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, said the issue of land ownership in Africa was critical to the EU because “it will continue to be sheer misery for Africans and development will be seriously hampered until we resolve the land ownership problem”. He said the EU was supporting a small project on land ownership in Cape Verde and urged the ECA to initiate similar pilot projects and give technical support to that of Cape Verde.

 

** Caribbean **

* Historic Meeting of Joint CARIFORUM-EU Council Precedes EU-LAC Summit
Caricom Secretariat Press release, 18 May 2010.
Representatives of CARIFORUM Member States and Secretary-General, His Excellency Edwin Carrington participated in the Inaugural meeting of the Joint CARIFORUM-EU Council which took place on Monday (17/05) just ahead of the Sixth Summit of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean at the IFEMA Conference Centre in Madrid, Spain. The EU was represented by a large number of member countries and senior officials of the Commission including Commissioner of Trade, Mr Karel de Gucht; Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Sra Soraya Rodriguez and the Secretary of State for Trade, Spain, Sra Silvia Iranzo Gutiérrez. Described as a historic moment by the Secretary-General, the Meeting adopted Rules of Procedure that would establish the framework of the conduct of mechanisms established under the recently signed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Caribbean Forum of African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States (CARIFORUM) and the European Union (EU). Chaired jointly by the Honourable Maxine McClean, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados and Chair of CARIFORUM and Sra Iranzo Gutiérrez, the meeting agreed to the adoption of Rules of Procedure in several areas including the Joint CARIFORUM-EU Council, the CARIFORUM-EU Trade and Development Committee; Special Committees set up under the EPA, and Rules of Procedure for Dispute Settlement and Code of Conduct for Arbitrators and Mediators under the EPA.

* CARIFORUM calls on EU to Honour the Cotonou and the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
Caricom Secretariat Press release 315/2010, 18 May 2010.
The Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States on Monday (17/05), called on the European Union (EU) to review and honour their commitment to the provisions of the Cotonou and Economic Partnership Agreements. During their meeting which preceded the Sixth EU-LAC Summit at the IFEMA Centre in Madrid, Spain, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, who spoke on behalf of CARIFORUM, enumerated the strides made by the Caribbean against the odds of the global economic challenges. The CARICOM Single Market and Economy, he said, was making strides despite the many challenges it faced. CARIFORUM continued its efforts at deepening and expanding, with the membership of the Dominican Republic in CARICOM under consideration and significant in-roads had been made in respect of ALBA and the newly created CALC. Notwithstanding those gains however, Prime Minister Gonsalves hastened to point out to EU representatives that the Caribbean’s best efforts would come to ‘nought’ if the EU did not honour the consultation provisions of the Cotonou and EPA Agreements. In doing so, Prime Minister Gonsalves reminded the EU, of the importance of ensuring that their other bilateral trade agreements were not pursued at the expense of the Caribbean region; that they facilitated the effectiveness of accompanying and support measures intended to provide relief to the Caribbean region and that they urgently undertook an assessment of the impact of trade liberalisation with Latin America on CARIFORUM countries.
-> See our “Events Section” for more information

* Caribbean Banana Industry decline is no sideshow
Aurelie Walker, The Guardian, 18 May 2010
Today (18/05), EU leaders and their counterparts from Colombia and Peru will strike lucrative trade agreements spanning financial services, industry and agriculture – the first between the EU and any Latin American nation since 2003. The EU's attention will then focus on securing similar deals with the mighty Latin American Mercosur bloc that includes Brazil and Argentina. Another example of the power of globalisation to generate wealth? Maybe, but there is a less rosy side to the seemingly inevitable victory march of trade liberalisation. As European business interests ready themselves for new markets, it should not be forgotten that breakthrough would never have materialised without selling the Caribbean banana industry down the river.

* Jury Still Out on Trade Pact with Europe
Peter Richards, Ipsnews.net, Barbados, 13 May 2010
A year and a half after Caribbean leaders inked a controversial and sweeping free trade pact with the European Union, concerns are emerging that the region is lagging in accessing some of its benefits. […] "We expected that the EPA would serve as a useful precedent for the region in its negotiations with other partners," said Valeriano Diaz, head of the EU delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, speaking at a two-day seminar of business leaders and government officials here late last month to informally assess progress. "But we also know that there were those who did not believe that the EPA would be in the Caribbean's best interest," he acknowledged.  The Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services at the University of the West Indies said the seminar was opportune "now that the dust has settled" on an agreement "that gave rise to a good deal of controversy".

 

** West Africa **

* The European Union supports development dimension of the future Economic Partnership Agreement with West Africa (also available in French)
Europa Press Release, Brussels, 11 May 2010
The European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, praised the Union's political commitment to fund an ambitious programme of aid for trade and economic integration in West Africa (PAPED). This programme is an essential element of the future Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with West Africa, currently under negotiation, and would ensure that the region made the most of this agreement. Funds available to provide support to PAPED for the next five years are around 6.5 billion euros.  The European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, made the following statement: "The commitment to make available 6.5 billion euros will ensure that West Africa makes the most of the opportunities provided by the future EPA for that region. What we need now is a joint effort to conclude an ambitious EPA to generate reform, growth and regional integration. We are very close to reaching a fair and balanced agreement. Europe is not only the largest donor in the world – it also intends to provide the economic support to its partners to create the conditions necessary to achieve the Millennium Development Goals."
-> See also: European Union promises ECOWAS increased funding, Ngozi Sams, 234next.com, 4 May 2010 and ECOWAS defends its insistence of Substantial European Union Contribution to Regional Development Fund. ECOWAS Secretariat Press Release, 4 May 2010.
    
* Ministers to Chart Way Forward for Partnership Negotiation With EU At Bamako Meeting
allAfrica.com, 6 May 2010
Regional ministers coordinating West Africa's negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) for a free trade area between the two regions are meeting in Bamako to chart a way forward in the protracted negotiations.
The negotiations, launched in August 2004, have been slowed down mostly over the contentious issues of the EPA Development Programme and schedule for the liberalization of the West African market. West Africa is insisting on an EU-funded EPADP that will enable the region cope with adjustment costs of implementing the EPA, including improving its competitiveness and a phased liberalization schedule over 25 years that will allow it to liberalize 70 per cent of its market and protect the remaining 30 per cent after a moratorium of five years. The region wants the EU to contribute nine billion Euros to the fund for the first five years while the EU refused to pledge fresh funds and instead cited the six billion Euros available to the region under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) and other bilateral contributions from ECOWAS Member States.
-> See also, in french, « APE : les Africains invités à ‘’rester vigilants et fermes’’ », El Hadj Souleymane Faye, Agence de Presse Senegalaise, 17 May 2010

* West African Ministers want Private Sector Involved in EPA negotiations with the European Union
ECOWAS Secretariat, Mali, 8 May 2010
West African ministers responsible for the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union for a free trade area of the two regions on Friday, 7th May 2010, directed that the region’s private sector be integrated forcefully into the negotiating process since it will bear the brunt of the regional Common External Tariff (CET) that will accompany the agreement.  The ministers, under the aegis of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee (MMC), said at the end of a two-day meeting in Bamako that the injection of the sector was the best mechanism for securing the private sector interest in the impending agreement with the European Union. The region is finalizing the elements of a five-band CET after regional  leaders approved a 35 per cent tariff under a fifth band that will be levied  on certain products to be determined by regional officials in order to, among  others things, protect certain West African industries from dumping under the  impending agreement. The MMC, comprising the Ministers of Finance and Trade of ECOWAS Member States, underscored the need for an expeditious finalization of the CET concurrently with a new Protocol on Rules of Origin in order to consolidate regional integration and ensure that ultimately the region was not short- changed in accessing the EU market under the EPA.

* [Nigeria] EU, Nigerian firms discuss development benefits of partnership pact
Africa-investor.com, 3 May 2010
Last week's visit by a senior official of the European Union (EU), Mr. Peter Thompson, gave members of the organised private sector in Nigeria an opportunity to express their stand on the controversial Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA), an official of the bloc explained at the weekend. During the visit, Thompson and other EU officials reportedly cleared grey areas on specific products and provisions of the pact, The Guardian learnt. Thompson had earlier told reporters after the round of visits in Abuja that the notion that the EPAs would hinder regional integration was false. […] Thompson is the EPA official responsible for trade and development and the organisation's negotiations. A source at the EU told The Guardian that the team also met with top officials of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) including the president of the commission.

* [Off the track/Regional Integration] West African Regional Integration process should involve citizens
Ghana News Agency, 07 May 2010
Participants at a forum in Accra to discuss "Regional Integration in West Africa" on Friday agreed that the lack of appreciation of issues on Regional Integration among citizens was an obstacle to the process. "Policies and programmes about regional integration need to be understood and well explained to the citizens". Dr. Joseph Abbey, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA), said issues such as regional integration were not only a matter of political will, but rather the need for proper coordination and implementation of policies. The forum organized as part of the on-going European Union Week celebration, brought together participants including Mr. Mike Hammah, Minister of Transport, Mr. Ekow Barton Odro, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and technocrats from the Ministries of Trade and Industry.

** ESA **

*  EU welcomes ratification of interim EPA by Seychelles
European Commission, EPA Newsletter, 21 May 2010
The European Commission welcomes the ratification by the Seychelles of the new trade and development partnership with the EU. The Seychelles negotiated the interim Economic Partnership Agreement in the framework of the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) regional group. The Commission hopes other members of the ESA group will follow Seychelles' steps and proceed with signature and ratification of the interim EPA. The EU-ESA interim EPA was signed by the EU and Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe in Mauritius on 29th August 2009. For Zambia and Comoros, which initialled the Agreement in 2007, signature is still pending. The interim EPA encompasses duty-free, quota-free access to EU markets and key provisions on development co-operation and fisheries. The Seychelles will liberalise 98% of its imports from the EU within 15 years.

*  EU softens on EPA
Ivan R. Mugisha, The NewsTimes, 17 May 2010
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) currently being negotiated between the European Union (EU) and the East Africa Community (EAC) has gained momentum following the former’s agreement to include the development cooperation in the deal, a trade expert said Tuesday. The deal, which is meant to bring lesser stringent trade terms between the two economic blocs, had stalled owing to the EU’s refusal to increase its regional funding over and above what is being provided through the European Development Fund (EDF).
“This is a good step forward for the negotiations and it shows the commitment that both EU and EAC have towards making the deal fully beneficial to both parties before it can be signed,” a Trade Economist in the Ministry of Trade and Commerce said on conditions of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the institution. He said that most of other contentious issues had been agreed upon.

* East Africa hopeful for EU trade deal soon - Official Interview
Africa Reuters News, 07 May 2010
East Africa’s economic bloc of five nations is optimistic a trade deal with the European Union can soon be agreed, the secretary-general of the East African Community (EAC) said on Wednesday (05/05). […] "My understanding is that they are coming round to accommodating us as far as the development issues are concerned, so we see a very positive way forward in concluding the framework agreement," EAC Secretary-General Juma Mwapachu told Reuters. The EU said in February it wanted a clear timetable for signing the deal, but Tanzania’s trade minister said then the EAC would not budge unless Brussels gave firm commitments on development assistance, especially for infrastructure.

* [Regional Integration]EAC Yet to Tackle Four Key Issues
Justus Ondari, Daily Nation, 3 May 2010
Delegates from the East African Community are negotiating four outstanding issues even after all the five member-states endorsed an agreement opening up their markets to each other within two months. The two remaining countries - Kenya and Burundi - last week joined Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda in ratifying the East African Community Common Market Protocol, which comes into force on July 1, 2010. The pact, which Kenya's Cabinet approved on Thursday, provides for free movement of goods, persons, workers, services and capital while giving regional citizens the right of establishment and residence in the region.
"The successful resolution of these outstanding issues is crucial to the implementation and effectiveness of the Common Market Protocol," Kenya's Assistant Minister for EAC Peter Munya said on Monday. The issues, which the delegates are supposed to iron out in their week-long meeting at a Nairobi hotel include, mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications and macro-economic convergence criteria.

* [Burundi/Regional Integration] Burundi Ratifies EAC Common Market Protocol
EAC Secretariat Press, Arusha, 30 April 2010
The First Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Dr. Yves Sahinguvu has announced that Burundi has ratified the East African Common Market Protocol and the ratification instruments would be deposited with the Secretary General of the East African Community. The ratification process was completed Thursday 29 April 2010, beating the 30 April 2010 deadline set for all Partner States. The Republics of Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania have all ratified the Protocol, paving the way for an EAC Common Market from 1 July this year. The Vice President, who was addressing the 3rd East African Investment Conference at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda[..], disclosed that since the commencement of a fully fledged Customs Union early this year, the Burundi had made a lot of economic reforms notably in the financial and investment sectors. Dr. Sahinguvu enumerated some of the reforms that have been instituted as establishing the new code of public and private companies; harmonisation of the investment code, customs legislation and the competition law with those of the East African Community Partner States; setting up of the Burundi Revenue Authority, as well as the Burundi Investment Promotion Agency. All these initiatives were creating favourable environment for business and investment in the country, noted the Vice President.

* [Regional Integration] States blocking trade in the region to face punishment
Charles Kazooba, The East African, 3 May 2010
The East African Community Council of Ministers has agreed on the principle of invoking sanctions against member states that are not doing enough to eliminate non-tariff barriers Regular assessments of partner states will be conducted and sanctions will be slapped on those that fail or refuse to downsize NTBs soon after the Summit gives its greenlight to the proposal. Last week, at the 3rd EAC Investment Conference in Kampala, there was intensive lobbying by the East African Business Council and senior officials from Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi to have the proposal endorsed. “We shall create something like a matrix under which each country’s NTBs will be identified and registered. And after we have carried out other assessments and those NTBs have not been eliminated, action must be taken,” said Aston Kajara, Uganda’s Investment Minister. The proposal was reportedly fronted by ministers from the five EAC members from different sectors of the economy, especially trade and investment, and was taken up and approved by the Council of Ministers last month. By last Friday, the Heads of State were expected to have endorsed it. “We have agreed to enforce sanctions against those partner states that are non-compliant. A team of experts is studying the Treaty to see how enforcement should be done. The position for all these years has been that we should eliminate the non-trade barriers in the region to create a favourable trading and investment market. It’s time to act on it” Mr Kajara said.

*  [Off the track/Trade Facilitation] Simplified Trade Regime launched at the Malawi, Zambia Border
COMESA Secretariat, 30 April 2010.
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) bloc in collaboration with the Governments of Malawi and Zambia launched the Simplified Trade Regime (STR)at the border of Zambia and Malawi known as Mwami Border Post on 30th April 2010. The COMESA Simplified Trade Regime is one of the important programmes to facilitate trade and reduce poverty. It recognises that cross-border trading is an important source of employment in this era of high unemployment and is an income generating activity that sustains families.  Cross border trade has proved to be a very important activity in ensuring supply and access to basic needs by the border communities. Cross border trade aides in overcoming the obvious hurdles of larger commercial trading by reaching out to remote communities with food stuffs, groceries, equipment and many other items in smaller quantities thereby contributing to food security and economic well-being.

 

** SADC **

* EU and SADC EPA Group hold EPA negotiations in Brussels
European Commission, ec.europa.eu/trade, Press Release, 28 May 2010
On 25 and 26 May 2010 EU and Southern African Development Community (SADC) EPA Group negotiators met in Brussels at technical and senior officials' level to discuss the way ahead in Economic Partnership Agreement's talks. They addressed outstanding issues such as the signing of the interim EPA for countries still pending, its notification and implementation, and the way ahead in "full", comprehensive regional EPA negotiations. The compromise reached between the EU and SADC EPA negotiators in Swakopmund (Namibia) in March 2009 was addressed, with a view to include it in the final, "full" EPA deal. The consistency and "alignment" between the interim EPA and the EU-South Africa Trade and Development Co-operation Agreement (TDCA) were also discussed. Talks tackled Rules of origin and services and investment as well. Further technical negotiations will take place in Brussels in July, and a Senior Officials' meeting is scheduled to take place in September in the SADC EPA Group region.

*[Namibia] Namibia Stands Up to EU 'Bullying'
David Cronin, IPS News, 24 May 2010
Tensions between the European Union and Africa have once again erupted, with Namibia accusing the Brussels elite of resorting to bullying tactics in trade negotiations. In official statements, the European Commission -- the EU's executive -- has consistently argued that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) it has been hoping to conclude with 47 African countries will bring tangible benefits to the continent. African governments have proven far less enthusiastic about these trade liberalisation accords, with some arguing that they are fomenting divisions among neighbours. In a strongly worded address to Namibia's national assembly May 19, the country's trade minister Hage Geingob warned that the EPAs will probably cause the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) to disintegrate.
-> Read the Ministerial Statement by Namibia's Trade minister Hage Geingob, 19 May 2010. 

* [Namibia] EU calls for urgent redress of Agreement with SADC
Tirivangani Masawi, Informanté, 13 May 2010.
European Union Ambassador to Namibia, Elisabeth Pape, last week said the delay in framing a legal code between the two trading blocs will continue to frustrate both sides. Pape was speaking at the celebration of Europe Day in the capital, which was attended by some Cabinet ministers, top Government officials and some members of the diplomatic community. The EU, which has emerged from a mere regional representative to an international bloc, Pape said, will continue to help Namibia develop while seeking ways of pushing away the lack of agreement which has seen the two blocs engaging on a shaky basis. The Union believes the continued grant of market access without any binding agreement will not auger well for businesses between the two partnering blocs. Pape pleaded to Namibia to ink the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) saying this would give the country an opportunity to market itself as a perfect investment destination. However, Pape also commended the growing trade relationship between Namibia and the EU. “My colleagues and I firmly believe that we cannot bring development to Namibia. What we can do is to buy into Namibia’s own efforts and contribute with additional resources, maybe not only financially but also with ideas and global experience,” said Pape.

* [Zimbabwe] Zimbabwean industry not ready for EPA
Business Reporter, tralac, 13 May 2010
Zimbabwean industry is not ready for the signing of a full Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Commission, an official said yesterday. Zimbabwe is signatory to the Interim EPA agreement which stipulates that in 2013 at least 45 percent of European goods will find their way to the country’s market duty free while in 2022 at least 80 percent of European goods would enter the local market duty free. Currently, the country, represented by the Eastern and Southern Africa bloc, is involved in negotiations with the EC for the signing of the full EPA. The project co-ordinator for Trade Capacity Building Project, an organisation sponsored by the EC, Mr James Jowa, said the signing of a full EPA would pave way for the flooding of European goods into the local market, thereby putting local industry at risk of being outperformed by European goods. “The concept of the signing of a Full EPA agreement is good but I don’t think for now as a country we can compete with the goods from the EU. We still need to build and modernise our industry before we think of competing against goods from the EU whose quality are higher than our local goods. I believe the local industry still needs to re-equip and modernise before we think about the signing of a full EPA,” he said. The local industry has lobbied the Government to introduce mechanisms aimed at protecting it from imports that are at times cheaper than the goods produced in the country.

* EU dismiss concerns of Southern African customs union
stiffkitten blog, 3 May 2010
EU Trade Commissioner, Karel De Gucht, was not exactly diplomatic in his response to a letter from the member countries of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU is the world’s oldest customs union comprising Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland) on March 31, 2010 – a letter that the author of this blog has obtained. SACU had sent a polite letter to De Gucht to inform him that several SACU countries, particularly Namibia and South Africa, had concerns in regard to the current negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), and to request that the EU would not demand the ratification and implementation of the EPAs at the next round of negotiations without these concerns being addressed. SACU countries face massive tariff revenue losses by signing the EPAs, which in their current form would eliminate all tariff barriers on goods from EU – Swaziland could lose 30% of its revenue, Namibia up to 50%, something which would paralyze their already fragile economies. South Africa in particular is trying to save SACU from falling apart. The customs union is one of the few vehicles for regional cooperation in the region, and helps promote regional trade as well as allowing its member countries to partake in negotiations with a strong and unified voice.
-> Read letters from SACU to Commissioner De Gucht (11 February) and from Commissioner De Gucht to SACU (31 March 2010)

* [Off the track/South Africa] As SA changes trade policy tack, observers call for greater transparency
Polityorg.za, 30 April 2010.
Trade policy, once viewed as a central pillar of the conversion of the post-apartheid South African economy from an uncompetitive closed system into one that was far more open, competitive and globally integrated, appears now to be on far less certain ground. In fact, the exact position that trade policy will hold in the country's evolving economic policy remains to be seen, and could even form the basis of tussles and turf wars between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), led by Minister Rob Davies, the Department of Economic Development (DED), led by Minister Ebrahim Patel, the National Planning Commission (NPC), led by Minister Trevor Manuel, and the National Treasury, led by Minister Pravin Gordhan. It is already apparent that trade policy will be subservient to industrial policy as South Africa seeks to rekindle its productive economic sectors. Less certain is whether South Africa is willing to take a step away from liberalisation towards more protectionism. While the overarching aims of diversifying the economy and creating jobs remain intact, precisely which policy instruments will be used, how, and by whom, are questions that still need to be clarified. South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) trade expert Peter Draper argues that the "locus of economic decision-making is unclear" in the current political economy in South Africa.


** Central Africa **

 * [Rwanda/Trade Facilitation] Rw1. 6 Billion for Trade Facilitation
Gertrude Majyambere, the New Times via allAfrica.com, 21 May 2010.
The United Kingdom (UK) through the Department for International Development (DFID) has approved £2m to support the implementation of Rwanda's integration strategy and regional trade facility. The facility was signed yesterday between head of DFID in Rwanda Elizabeth Carriere and John Rwangombwa, the Finance and Economic Planning Minister in Kigali. Rwangombwa said the finances will facilitate easy movement of goods and thus position Rwanda to be a key player in economic integration. "The aid will support Rwanda in moving ahead with its priority of regional integration and trade," Carriere said. Carriere also added that the UK will support Rwanda through government ministries involved in regional integration to help the country get maximum benefits from regional integration. The funds will be channelled through the Ministries of East African Community (MINEAC) and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM).

* [Regional Integration] Les experts de la CEMAC examinent les questions cruciales de la prochaine réunion des chefs d'Etat
CEMAC Bulletin, 26 May 2010.
En prélude au sommet extraordinaire des chefs d'Etat de la Communauté économique et monétaire des Etats de l'Afrique centrale (CEMAC) et à la réunion du Conseil des ministres de cette institution, qui se tiendront respectivement, du 6 au 7 juin et le 3 juin prochain, le ministre délégué auprès du ministre d'Etat, ministre de l'Economie, du plan, de l'aménagement du territoire et de l'intégration, Josué Rodrigue Ngouonimba, a ouvert ce mercredi 26 mai au palais du Parlement, les travaux du comité inter-Etats des experts de la CEMAC. Au cours de cette rencontre préparatoire, il sera question pour les experts, venus des différents pays issus de la CEMAC, de faire le point sur les grandes questions qui feront l'objet des prochaines discussions à la session extraordinaire du Conseil des ministres de la CEMAC. Ces questions concernent le principe de rotation au niveau de l'ensemble des institutions spécialisées et organes de la CEMAC, la participation de la Banque des Etats de l'Afrique centrale (BEAC) au capital de la Banque de développement des Etats de l'Afrique centrale (BDEAC), la cellule de pilotage, le financement et la vulgarisation du programme économique régional, la compagnie communautaire air CEMAC, le passeport CEMAC et le rapprochement des marchés boursiers en zone CEMAC.

 

** Pacific **

* [Solomon Island/V-Flex] EU delivers €15.2 million to Solomon Islands
Pacific Island News Association, 25 May 2010.
Solomon Islands Coalition of National Unity and Rural Advancement (CNURA) Government has everything to celebrate yesterday. This came after caretaker Minister for Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Steve Abana finally signed the Financial Agreement with Aldo Dell Arricia, European Ambassador and Head of Delegation for Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands at Heritage Park Hotel. The signing will pave the way for Solomon Islands to receive €15.2 million ($160 million) from European Union's V-flex instrument through its national budget after the national election. The breakthrough came about following the success of the three political dialogues Solomon Islands Government held with EU recently.

* Pacific ACP states trade official submit two projects for consideration under 10th EDF
Pacific Island News Association, 21 May 2010.
Trade Officials from Pacific-ACP States agreed at a meeting in Fiji earlier this month to submit an Identification Fiche comprising two projects to the European Commission for consideration for funding under the Pacific Regional Indicative Programme financed under the 10th European Development Fund. The projects selected by Pacific-ACP States are being undertaken by the Office of the Chief Trade Advisor (OCTA) for PACER Plus and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat. The European Commission has not yet agreed to fund either proposal. Both proposals have been under consideration by Pacific-ACP States since early 2009 and have undergone previous technical assessments. […] These two projects are among other regional projects considered for funding under the Aid for Trade allocation under the Focal Sector 1 of the EDF 10 Regional Indicative Programme.

* Fish inspectors to increase US and EU trade
radiofiji.com.fj, 3 May 2010
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency is training fish export officers and inspectors to certify products according to European Union and US export standards. The training which opened today in Fiji will see 17 people become certified in seafood export safety. Fisheries officers from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, and Vanuatu are attending the 3-week training. The FFA hopes that through these certified officers, Pacific island countries will increase their fisheries trade with European countries and the US.

[Off the track]  Forum Trade Ministers endorse measures to boost investment and Trade integration
Pacific Islands News Association, 30 April 2010
Pacific Islands Forum Trade Ministers ended their two-day meeting in Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) with agreement on measures to boost trade and investment to help increase growth and development in Pacific island countries. Ministers from Australia, FSM, Kiribati, New Zealand, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga attended the meeting. Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu were represented at Senior Officials level. Governor of the State of Pohnpei, John Ehsa welcomed the Ministers and delegates to Pohnpei.


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III. Selection from the acp-eu-trade.org Library
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* The EU Commitment to Deliver Aid for Trade in West Africa and Support the EPA Development Programme (PAPED) 
ECDPM Discussion Paper 96, ECDPM, May 2010
Along with other members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries, West Africa has been negotiating WTO-compatible Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) as a region with the European Union (EU) since 2003. The commitment to development oriented EPAs has been reiterated on numerous occasions across the range of EU institutions, and spelled out in the context of West Africa in the EU Council Conclusions of 10 May 2010. The West Africa EPA Development Programme, better known under its French acronym PAPED, was developed in the context of the EPA negotiations. This paper presents background on the European Union’s commitment to West Africa’s PAPED: the ways in which the EU already supports the goals and objectives of the PAPED, and how it can continue and strengthen its support in future.  The PAPED has been elaborated by the region through a participatory approach led by the ECOWAS and UEMOA commissions, involving regional and national actors (governments, private sector and civil society). It is an attempt by the West Africa region to assess in detail the challenges and opportunities of an EPA, and to propose a positive donor support agenda for dealing with the challenges and maximising the opportunities of the EPA and the regional integration process. The overall goal of the PAPED is to build a competitive and harmonious regional economy that is integrated into the global economy and stimulates growth and sustainable development. 

- NEW - ECDPM AND CTA LAUNCH THE AID FOR TRADE AND AGRICULTURE SERIES.
* Trade and Production Adjustments in ACP Countries Lessons from the Caribbean Rum Programme
ECDPM and CTA Discussion Paper 97, Paul Goodison, Corinna Braun-Munzinger, May 2010 (Part of the ECDPM and CTA Aid for Trade Series)
The origins of the Integrated Development Programme for the Caribbean Rum Sector can be found in the unilateral decision of the European Union (EU) to liberalise access to the EU rum market under an EU/US agreement. Under this agreement, the trade preferences for traditional African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) rum were de facto eroded. Being aware of the challenges this unilateral action would give rise to, Caribbean governments immediately gave voice to the concerns of rum producers and opened the dialogue with the EU in order to find an appropriate policy response. With the start of the negotiations on a successor agreement to the Lomé convention, the Caribbean rum industry intensified its lobbying efforts for the inclusion of specific provisions aimed at supporting the rum sector. This resulted in December 1999 in the joint ACP-EU declaration on rum, which included the EU commitment to finance 'an integrated sector specific programme for the development of ACP exporters of rum’. This joint declaration provided the basis for the subsequent Caribbean rum programme, whose main objectives consisting in (i) enhancing the competitiveness of existing exporters of rum in the Caribbean region, (ii) assisting in the creation of a rum marque or brands by region/countries and (iii) enabling the design and implementation of marketing campaigns.[.....] Against this background, the main objective of this study is to analyse and learn from the successful experience of the Integrated Development Programme for the ACP Caribbean Rum Sector. The paper is meant to inform private sector players who are facing restructuring challenges in the face of trade liberalisation, donors who want to provide adjustment support, as well as policy-makers who often represent the interface between these two groups of stakeholders.

* Agricultural Trade Adjustments: Lessons from SADC experiences
ECDPM and CTA, Discussion Paper 95 (part of the Aid for Trade and Agriculture Series), May 2010
This paper highlights the lessons that can be drawn from aid for trade experiences in agriculture across Southern African countries, focusing on trade challenges and opportunities in the SADC region and the effectiveness of AfT in supporting agricultural transformation. The key messages are ultimately meant to foster debate on how ongoing policy processes such as the CAADP initiative can best shape aid for trade strategies in accordance with the needs of the agriculture sector.

* Draft Council Conclusions - EPA Development Programme (PAPED) - Adoption
Council of the European Union, Brussels, 26 April 2010

* COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken by the European Union within the EU-South Africa Cooperation Council on the amendment of the relevant provisions and Annexes to the Agreement on Trade, Development and Cooperation between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of South Africa, of the other part, to align certain tariffs with those applied to EU products by Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland as set out in Annex 3 of the EC-SADC interim Economic Partnership Agreement
Council of the European Union, Brussels, 28 May 2010

* African Economic Outlook 2010
OECD Report, Paris, France, May 2010
The 2010 African Economic Outlook finds the continent reeling from the effects of the world’s deepest and most widespread recession in half a century. Many countries are at risk of falling far off track to achieving the Millennium Development Goal of halving extreme poverty and hunger by 2015. Just how hard was the region hit? What are the prospects for recovery? Insights and answers in this edition including an in-depth study of Taxation and Aid in Africa.

* Supporting Regional Integration in East and Southern Africa
McCarthy et al, Tralac Book, April 2010
There has been renewed interest in regional integration in Africa in the last few years. Political ambitions to progress along the linear path of regional integration from free trade areas (FTA) to customs unions, and even to achieve monetary union, have led to the reiteration of commitments to tight deadlines especially to move from FTAs to establish customs unions, despite the fact that implementation of FTAs has met with many challenges. The Treaties establishing regional economic communities in the East and Southern African region are all very clear on the developmental objectives of regional integration. Yet, it appears that the mere move from an FTA to a customs union is viewed, at least by politicians in the region, as significant progress in regional integration.[......]This collection of papers reviews select issues on the regional integration agenda in East and Southern Africa.

-> This book includes the following chapters:
* Reconsidering Regional Integration in Sub Saharan Africa, Colin McCarthy,Chapter1
*The global financial and economic crisis and its impact on Sub-Saharan Economies,Colin McCarthy, Chapter 2
* Africa’s continental integration agenda: Suggestions for African countries and regions, William Mwanza, Chapter 3
* A review of the impact of regional integration on trade within SADC: an assessment of SADC FTA case studies, Taku Fundira, Chapter 4
* Trade in services and the regional integration process in southern Africa
JB Cronje, Chapter 5
* The state of regional trading arrangements in Southern Africa: options and considerations, Taku Fundira, Chapter 6
* Protectionism, trade remedies and safeguards: A quick guide for African countries, Willemien Denner, Chapter 7
* South Africa and the ‘More favourable treatment’ clause in the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations, Eva Bursvik, Chapter 8

* Contentious Issues in the Goods EPAs: What is the value of the 2009 renegotiations?
Analytical Note, South Centre, April 2010
A large part of the discomfort of many ACP countries vis-à-vis the EPAs have to do with what are now known as ‘contentious issues’ or ‘unresolved issues’. Negotiations on these issues took place between the EU and some African sub-regions in 2009, with agreements on some of these issues emerging for SADC and ESA countries. This note analyses the results of the negotiations on the standstill clause; modification of tariff commitments provision; duties and taxes on exports; the infant industry clause; prohibition of quantitative restrictions; the food security clause; free circulation of goods and definition of the ‘parties’. These form only part of the list of the overall basket of contentious issues, but they are those negotiated in 2009. Whilst the EU claims that it was flexible in the 2009 renegotiations, the results of these negotiations are disappointing. There are some positive improvements in certain areas. However, on other issues, the new language provides only clarification. In yet other areas, the new remedy could even be worse.

* Trading out of crises and reducing vulnerability
Jodie Keane and Sheila Page, ODI Policy Brief, May 2010
Trade is a central tool for leveraging the international system for development, and the global financial crisis has demonstrated its importance in reducing vulnerability to current and future crises. The years 2008 and 2009 represented crisis years for trade policy. The Doha Round negotiations stalled; climate change negotiations broke down; and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and most African regions remain inconclusive. But what do recent developments imply for the UK’s trade and development agenda in 2010? Trade to some extent disappeared from DFID’s radar in 2009. While this needs to change, the limits on the ability of the UK and the EU to set policy must be recognised. The current crisis and its implications for trade and development policy cannot be overestimated. The achievement of duty-free, quota-free access in all developed country markets remains a priority for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at the WTO. Their efforts should be supported, as future growth in trade opportunities will be driven by new markets and actors, such as China, Brazil and India and other emerging economies. Helping LDCs grasp opportunities in such markets should be a priority. The Doha negotiations need a new approach. Recognising the central trade role of the major developing countries and working with them for developmental outcomes would give the EU a new role. New thinking is needed to assist export diversification efforts, going beyond traditional support such as trade preferences. As the EU continues to liberalise, preferential treatment disappears along with its commercial advantages. This loss comes at a bad time for many preference-dependent LDCs and small, vulnerable states (SVEs).

* The crisis and the Developing countries
Fabrizio Coricelli, Centre for Economic Policy Research, 1 May 2010
Why have emerging economies weathered the crisis better than advanced countries? This column summarises a session given by Alan Winters, Saul Estrin, Thorsten Beck, and organised by Nauro Campos at the Royal Economic Society annual conference in March 2010. The contributions argue that the crisis may have long-lasting effects on migration, foreign direct investment,and financial development in Africa.

* German Aid for Trade: Past Experience, Lessons Learnt and the Way Forward - Country Case Study Mozambique
Matthew Stern and Nial Condon, GTZ Study, May 2010
Building the capacity of developing countries to trade is recognised as a crucial factor in stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty levels in these countries. The concept of Aid for Trade (AfT) has consequently received substantial attention over the past number of years in most donor and recipient countries, including Mozambique. Mozambique has a long way to go in terms of realizing its trade potential. Despite a strong export growth performance over the last decade, the country has failed to diversify its exports significantly, remaining heavily reliant on the export of aluminum, and it has benefited little from the new export opportunities in the SADC free trade region as well as in the EU and US markets. Clearly more needs to be done, both domestically and in foreign markets, to integrate Mozambique more fully into the international trading system. Donors are actively involved in an array of projects designed to assist Mozambique in achieving its trade potential; and Mozambique has been part of the Integrated Framework (IF) process since 2004.

* Geographical Distribution of Financial Flows to Developing Countries 2010
OECD, Paris, France, 22 April 2010
This publication provides comprehensive data on the volume, origin and types of aid and other resource flows to around 150 developing countries for the period 2004-2008.  The data show each country's intake of official development assistance and well as other official and private funds from members of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee, multilateral agencies and other key donors.  Key development indicators are given for reference.

* Export Restrictions on Strategic Raw Materials and Their Impact on Trade
Jane Korinek and Jeonghoi Kim, OECD Trade Policy Working Paper No. 95, 29 March 2010
Barriers to trade come in a variety of forms. This paper examines one such barrier, export restrictions, and how it impacts trade and global supply in selected strategic metals and minerals. The metals and minerals examined in the paper are of particular interest for a number of reasons: they are generally geographically concentrated in a few countries, many are used in the production of high-technology goods in strategic sectors and there are few substitutes for these raw materials given the present state of technology. For all these reasons, importing countries are dependent on a reliable supply of these raw materials. Export restrictions may be applied for a number of reasons: protection of the environment, preservation of natural resources, protection of downstream industries, or as a response to a number of different market imperfections. This paper examines the motivations for using export restrictions and finds varying impacts on trade and global supply.

* Doing Good Business in Africa
African Progress Panel, March 2010
The Africa Progress Panel chaired by Kofi Annan, has been working with Concern Universal to mobilise greater business support for development.The purpose of this initiative was to create a space in which business leaders could share their vision and views as to how the private sector can add practical value to existing efforts to help reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa. Specifically, it identified practical ideas that can now be disseminated and implemented.

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IV. Resources from Recent and on Upcoming Events
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* Meeting of the Technical Monitoring Committee for the suppression of non-tariff barriers within WAEMU.
25 April 2010, Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso Kampala, Uganda
-> More Information

* 3rd EAC Investment Conference
27-30 April 2010, Kampala, Uganda
-> Access Speeches, Conference Reports and Presentations

* Civil society International Seminar on the Economic Partnership Agreements, “EPAs in (times of) crisis”
29 April 2010, Brussels, Belgium
-> Presentations and Reports

* EIB Lending Outside the EU – a way forward
29 April 2010, European Parliament, Brussels.
-> Read the Speeches made by Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Development, Philippe Maystadt, President of the EIB  and Michel Camdessus, former IMF Managing Director and Chairman of the review of EIB external lending
-> Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the Mid-Term Review of the External Mandate of the EIB and the accompanying Staff Working Document.

* The 2010 Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA) Annual meeting : Integrating African Economies through Regional Infrastructure
6 May 2010, Tunis, Tunisia.
-> Watch the videos of the opening and closing remarks

* UNCTAD’S Public Symposium 2010, on Responding to Global Crises and New Development Paths
10-11 May 2010, Geneva, Switzerland
-> Presentations
-> Audio

* EU-South Africa Ministerial Political Dialogue Meeting
11 May 2010, Brussels, Belgium
-> See Joint communiqué
-> Watch the video of the Press Conference

* Seminar "Strengthening Regional Integration in West Africa
11-12 May 2010,  Brussels, Belgium
-> Agenda

* Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group to follow up on the issues contained in the Outcome of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development
12 April – 2 June 2010.
-> Information about the Programmes and Agendas

* 6th EU-LAC Summit and related Summits
16-19 May 2010, Madrid, Spain
-> Note from Working Party on Latin America to Coreper/Council
-> Read the Joint Communiqués

* Meeting of the Caribbean Forum of ACP States (CARIFORUM) and the European Union on Regional Integration and Cooperation for Sustainable Development.
17 May 2010, Madrid, Spain.
-> Statement by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

* ACP Working Party Meeting
18 May 2010, Brussels, Belgium
->  Provisional Agenda

* ACP Committee of Ambassadors
20 May 2010, Brussels, Belgium

* SAIIA Rountable: One Hundred Not Out: What future for SACU ?
20 May 2010: Pretoria, South Africa
-> Keynote address delivered by the Executive Secretary of SACU, Tswelopele Moremi

* AUC EPA Negotiations Coordination Meeting
20-21 May 2010, Abuja, Nigeria
-> Agenda
-> Aide-Memoire

* DG Trade Ad hoc civil society meeting on Trade and Investment (post-Lisbon)
25 May 2010, Brussels, Belgium
-> Agenda

* DG Trade Ad hoc civil society meeting on the Next Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Scheme
26 May 2010, Brussels, Belgium
-> Agenda
-> Read the EC’s Issue Paper on the Public Consultation exercise on the revision and updating of the EU’s scheme of GSP

* Convergences 2015 : Solidarity and Responsibility : investing and working towards the Millenium Development Goals.
25-26 May 2010, Paris, France.
-> For more information

* Workshop on the Lisbon Treaty
27 May 2010, Brussels, Belgium
-> Read the statement by DR MOHAMED IBN CHAMBAS, ACP Secretary-General
-> Read the statement by H.E. MR. RENÉ MAKONGO, Ambassador of Gabon and chair of the

*ACP Working Group Party Meeting
28 May 2010, Brussels, Belgium
-> Provisional Agenda

* 2nd Africa-France Business Meeting
2-3 June 2010, Bordeaux, France.
-> For more information

* 35th session of ACP-EC Council of Ministers: signing ceremony for 2nd Revision of Cotonou Agreement
4 June 2010, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
-> For more information

* Extraordinary Summit of CEMAC Heads of States
6-7 June 2010, Brazzaville, Congo

* EU-WA technical officials’ meetings on market access and services
7-11 June 2010, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

* 10th International Economic Forum on Africa
11th June 2010, Paris, France
-> Agenda, List of Speakers, and Registration

* EU-WA technical officials’ meetings on market access and services
7-11 June 2010, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

* ACP-EC Council of Ministers
21-22 June 2010, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

* DG Trade Ad hoc civil society meeting on Economic Partnership Agreements (State of Play)
22 June 2010, Brussels.
-> See List of Speakers and Provisional Agenda

* DG Trade Ad Hoc Meeting - Commissioner De Gucht on Future Trade Policy
23 June 2010, Brussels, Belgium
-> See List of Speakers and Provisional Agenda

Check our website for more events and resources!  http://www.acp-eu-trade.org

 

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