*********************************************************************************
The acp-eu-trade.org newsletter -- No. 41/July-August 2010
*********************************************************************************
In this issue:
= = = = = = =
I. Trade Negotiations Insights
---
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 Pacific
II.7 Central Africa
---
III. Selection from the acp-eu-trade.org Library
---
IV. Resources from Recent and on Upcoming Events
---
= = = = = = =
Dear readers,
Below you will find a link to our special July-August issue of Trade Negotiations Insights, entirely dedicated to the questions of Taxation and Development !
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!
Editor: Melissa Dalleau (md@ecdpm.org)
I. Trade Negotiations Insights: Special Issue on the fiscal implications of EPAs and Domestic Revenue Mobilization
The July-August issue of Trade Negotiations Insights (TNI), a joint monthly publication by ICTSD and ECDPM, is available online at: www.ictsd.org/tni/index.htm.
Trade Negotiations Insights, Vol.9, No.6, July-August 2010
- Editorial: Special Issue on the fiscal implications of EPAs and Domestic Revenue Mobilisation
- News and publications In brief
- Taxation for development in Africa: A shared responsibility (H.B Solignac-Lecomte)
- Why enhance domestic resource mobilisation in Africa? (R. Culpeper and A. Bhushan)
- Economic Partnership Agreements - How severe (and how urgent) is the fiscal challenge? (J.J. Hallaert)
- Addressing the fiscal challenges of an EPA: Some preliminary considerations (ECDPM)
- Fiscal impact of the Economic Partnership Agreement in West Africa (D. Laborde)
- Mapping donors' involvement in the area of taxation and development: The case for better coordination and division of labour (ICT Secretariat)
- WTO Roundup
- EPA Update
- Calendar and resources
Eclairage sur les négociations, Vol.9, No.6, Juillet-Aout 2010
- Éditorial : Une approche interne du développement - Numéro spécial sur les implications fiscales des APE et sur la mobilisation des ressources nationales
- Nouvelles et publications: En Bref
- Fiscalité et développement en Afrique: une responsibilité partagée (H.B Solignac-Lecomte)
- Pourquoi améliorer la mobilisation des ressources nationales en Afrique? (R. Culpeper and A. Bhushan)
- Accords de partenariat économique - Quelle est la gravité (et le degré d'urgence) du défi fiscal? (J.J. Hallaert)
- S'attaquer aux défis budgétaires posés par les APE: quelques considérations préliminaires (ECDPM)
- L'Impact Fiscal de l' APE en Afrique de l'Ouest (D. Laborde)
- Cartographie de l'implication des bailleurs dans le domaine de la fiscalité et du développement : Arguments en faveur d'une meilleure coordination et division du travail (ICT Secretariat)
- Aperçu sur l'OMC
- Le Point sur les Négociations APE
- Evènements
- Publications
* The European Union approves EUR 264 million to help 19 African, Caribbean and Pacific States face the consequences of the economic crisis.
Europa Press Release, 2 September 2010
The Vulnerability FLEX (V-FLEX) mechanism is the European Union's swift response to help countries most affected by the economic downturn due to their poor resilience to external shocks. In 2010, it will provide, upon their request, support to: Antigua & Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Grenada, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu and Zimbabwe. The financing decisions in favour of Burkina Faso (EUR 14 million) and Grenada (EUR 3,5 million) have been adopted today. Financing decisions in favour of other countries will follow during the course of autumn 2010.
* ACP ambassadors and senior representatives meet the European Investment Bank
EIB News, 22 July 2010
On 22 July 2010 the European Investment Bank welcomed the representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to Luxembourg. The 80-strong delegation consisted of ambassadors, chargés d'affaires and other diplomats.
It was the second meeting of this kind and provided an opportunity for the Bank to discuss key activities with senior representatives of the ACP region: the ACP countries’ Committee of Ambassadors and the Brussels-based ACP Secretariat.
-> Read the Welcoming Address by EIB President Philippe Maystadt
-> Statement by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambad, SG of the ACP Group of States
-> Presetation of the activities the Bank in the ACP countries and territories during 2009 (Vice-President Plutarchos Sakellaris)
* Delegates want raw material export ban
Solomon Muyita, Daily Monitor, 23 July 2010
Participants at a meeting of the African Union’s Trade and Industry Commission proposed that the continent adopts policies to discourage the export of raw materials to the developed world.
* Third Africa-EU Summit to Focus on Economic Growth, Security
The Tripoli Post, 24 July 2010
The third Africa-European Union summit scheduled to be held in Libya late this year will focus on the economic growth and peace and security of the African continent, a top official of the African Union (AU) Commission said on Wednesday. Rene N’Guettia Kouassi, director for economic affairs at the AU Commission told reporters here that there is also emerging consensus that key issues like climate change and food security should be discussed at the meeting that will be held from Nov. 29 to 30. […] Kouassi who was speaking on the sides of the ongoing AU summit in Kampala, Uganda said that one of the challenges Africa is facing in its cooperation with the EU is the increasing pressure on African countries to sign the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). He said there is need for more discussion on the EPA despite some countries having already signed the agreements.
-> See also, Africa seeks greater role in international affairs, Xinhuanet, 26 July 2010
* EU and ACP non-state actors insist on food security as a human right (FR)
Europa Press Release, 14 July 2010
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and their partners from across Africa met at the 11th Regional Seminar of ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They addressed the revision of the Cotonou Agreement and called for greater involvement of non-state actors in its implementation. They broached the challenging issues of Economic Partnership Agreements for the East African Community (EAC) and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) regions, sustainable food security and the EU-Africa Strategy.[…]. The EU-ACP non-state actors supported the conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreements under the condition that they include provisions aimed at the development of the beneficiary regions, namely the inclusion of economic, social and environmental provisions, timely information and involvement of non-state actors, promotion of infrastructures, modernisation of the agricultural sector and good economic governance.
* [Interview] Mass Mboup meets DR. MOHAMED IBN CHAMBAS
EU Reporter, July 2010
At a meeting at the ACP House in Brussels, [Dr. M. Ibn Chambas] talked with EU Reporter about the upcoming negotiations for the ACP Group, including the revised Cotonou Agreement, and about his views on the next five years
* Caricom Secretariat-Led EPA consultations make Headway
CARICOM Secretariat, Press release, 2 September 2010
A series of national consultations in the Region, launched in July of this year, on implementation issues as relates to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARIFORUM and the European Union (EU) have been progressing steadily, and are due to continue into September. The EPA Implementation Unit based in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat is at the helm of these consultations, which form part of its on-going efforts to provide technical support and guidance to CARIFORUM States on aspects of EPA implementation. The consultations center on trade in goods and trade in services/investment, respectively.
-> See for instance on this subject, Caricom Secretariat Hosts EPA workshop IN Saint Lucia, CARICOM Press release, 26 July 2010
* Guyana has no regrets over holding out on EPA
Peter Richards, IPS, 12 July 2010
Two years after 14 Caribbean countries signed a wide-ranging and controversial Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe, Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo still maintains that his country was right in holding out until the last minute to get a "better deal" for the Caribbean.
[…] the new Caricom chair, Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, conceded that there have been "implementation shortfalls", some of which have to do with capacity. […] While key EPA institutions, such as the Joint CARIFORUM-EC Ministerial Council, were finally launched this year, a Caricom communiqué noted that given the weak global economy "and the actions taken by the EU since the signing of the agreement in 2008, heads called for an assessment of the impact on the projected benefits under the agreement". […]
Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer told IPS that one of the one of the challenges confronting the region is how to "extract from the European Union the billions of dollars that they have available for the Caribbean, and for some unknown reason or reasons known only to themselves we have been unable to access those funds". "
->Read the Caricom communiqué
* [Opinion] That EU Cariforum Economic Partnership Agreement
Davis Jessop, CaribWorldNews via Dutch Caribbean News, 10 August 2010
[…] Europe, unlike the Caribbean, is moving forward to establish the bodies and appoint the individuals that will from its perspective manage the implementation of the [EPA]. Europe has also begun to consider who its representatives might be on the EU-Cariforum Consultative Committee: the civil body that will advise Ministers and officials on implementing the EPA. […] In contrast, little is known about Caricom`s thinking as to whom from the Anglophone part of the region will sit on the Joint Parliamentary Committee or the consultative committee. Other uncertainties exist. A draft road map has been produced but its content has not been widely shared and most Caricom nations have yet to name an individual to be responsible nationally for EPA implementation. At the heart of this failure to move forward is the inability of Caricom and the Dominican Republic to agree at an all Cariforum level who the EPA co-ordinator should be, how a Cariforum regional fund that the EU can use as a disbursement mechanism for EPA related assistance might function, or how to resolve the fact that most Caricom customs regimes have failed to implement EPA related arrangements whereby regional preferential access has to be granted to exporters from the Dominican Republic.
-> Read also from the same author, Bridging the gulf between Dominican Republic and the English speaking, David Jessop, Dominican Today, 30 July 2010 ; and Bodies being set up to govern Caribbean Economic Partnership Agreement, Stabroek News. 25 July 2010.
Neil Hartnell, The Tribune, Bahamas, 26 August 2010
The Bahamas "did not yield in areas that would cause the population some unease" in its Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) services offer, a government minister telling Tribune Business that the ’watering down’ of this nation’s initial position that European Union (EU) firms joint venture with Bahamian companies in numerous sectors had done "no harm". […] Mr Laing added that the Government was "satisfied" that it achieved its goals with respect to the Bahamas' EPA services and goods/market access offers, given that they largely preserved the existing National Investment Policy.
-> See also, Revealed: Bahamas EPA services offer, Neil Hartnell, The Tribune, 19, August 2010
-> Read the Council Conclusions on the position to be taken by the EU in the Joint CARIFORUM-EU Council on the amendment of Annex IV to the EPA by incorporating the commitments of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
* [Sugar/Jamaica] Gov't gets $4-billion grant from EU
Jamaica Observer, 27 August 2010
Governement yesterday received a $4-billion grant from the European Union (EU) towards its Debt Reduction, and Sugar Cane Sector budget support programmes. Of the amount, $1.3 billion is earmarked for the Sugar Cane Sector support initiative.
Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation, 1 September 2010
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission President, James Victor Gbeho, says the Economic Partnership Agreement between West Africa and the European Union is heading for a successful conclusion.
He is optimistic that, in the face of challenging economic circumstances, the two sides will soon come to a mutual agreement.
Mr. Victor Gbeho was speaking at the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Stakeholders conference in Accra.
* EPA Workshop opens
Ghana News Agency, 31 August 2010
Mr. James Victor Gbeho, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission […] was speaking at a workshop on EPAs for members of the ECOWAS Parliament, representatives of member state assemblies and other stakeholders. Mr. Gbeho said "failure in the past to interact with constituents had given room for misinformation, misrepresentation and misreporting on the useful and vital service that we are performing on behalf of the sub-region". He said objectives of the workshop included the need to ensure that all levels of stakeholders to be affected by the conclusions of the EPA negotiations are adequately and accurately informed on the progress, challenges, expected effects of the agreement and measures being put in place to ensure that the economic interest of West Africans are adequately protected and our common and interlocking future was not mortgaged.[…] He called on the Parliamentarians as ultimate owners and authorities in approving of major agreements to bring to bear their legislative experience and professional expertise in support of the regional negotiators.
-> For background information, read previous article, ECOWAS to organise workshop on EP, 30 August 2010
* Regional Leaders conclude Mid-Year Summit with far-reaching decisions on economy and security
ECOWAS Press Release, 3 July 2010 ECOWAS Leaders have ended their 38th ordinary summit in Sal, Cape Verde with a call on Member States to sustain their efforts towards consolidating the gains recorded in 2010 with the revival of their economies which was adversely affected by the global financial, economic and food crises. […]On the on-going negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between ECOWAS and the European Union, the Heads of State and Government urged the negotiators of the two regions to agree on a formula for tariff dismantling based on a 70 per cent opening of the region’s market in order to safeguard the region’s development. In addition, they called for the mobilization of additional resources to complement the 6.5 billion Euros pledged by the European Union to finance the EPA Development Programme (EPADP), a programme that will enable the region cope with the adjustment costs of implementing the impending EPA.
* [civil society] Association says EPA negotiations promote economic integration in West Africa
Vanguard, via AllAfrica.com, 17 August 2010
National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) on Monday said the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations had created some reliefs that could promote regional economic integration in the ECOWAS sub-region.
* Negotiator urges caution on EPAs
Taonga Sabola, The Nation, Malawi, 27 July 2010
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) said on Monday countries such as Malawi stand to lose a lot if they sign the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) in their current form as they will prevent them from engaging in viable economic and trade arrangements with other emerging nations. Dr Moses Tekere, Comesa chief technical advisor responsible for EPA negotiations, said this in Malawi’s commercial capital Blantyre, when he presented a paper on ‘ESA-EU EPA negotiations: Achievements/unresolved issues and future challenges’ during the two-day high level meeting on EPAs that ended on Tuesday (27/07).
* [Malawi] Malawi maintains ‘no’ stand on EPAs
Taonga Sabola, The Nation, 26 July 2010
Industry and Trade Minister Eunice Kazembe on Monday reiterated the need for the European Union (EU) to address institutional, infrastructure and capacity factors that have stopped Malawi from taking advantage of previous preferential access to the EU before it can sign the controversial Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). Kazembe was speaking in Blantyre at the start of a high-level meeting on the role of Malawi in ESA-EPA negotiations. The meeting has attracted government officials, business captains, civil society players and media gurus to discuss some of the challenges affecting Malawi’s signing of the trade pact. […]
-> See also Country Stands Firm on Conditions for Signing EPA, Claire Ngozo, IPS, 28 July 2010 (également disponible en [FR]; Le Malawi reste ferme sur les conditions de signature de l’APE, Claire Ngozo, IPS, 3 août 2010)
-> Time up on EPA, says EU, Isaac MASINGATI, The Daily Time, 29 JULY 2010
* [Rwanda] MINICOM sensitizes on Economic Partnership Agreements
Alex Ngarambe The New Times, Rwanda, 18 August 2010
The Ministry of Trade and industry has started a sensitization campaign on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) in all sectors of economy. “The objective of this campaign and workshop is to brief the participants on the on going EPAs negotiations process, expected benefits, scope of the agreement, as well as the current trend of negotiations,” said Monique Nsanzabaganwa Minister of Trade and Industry said on Tuesday during an inaugural workshop.
* [regional integration] EAC Set to Start Development Fund
Godfrey Kambenga, East African Business Week, 30 August 2010
The East African Community member states are in the final stages of establishing a regional development fund, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry East African Co-cooperation, Dr Stergomena Tax announced recently in Dar es Salaam. Participants from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi were in Dar to deliberate on how the established fund would be sourced, managed, and the domestication of the proposed regional fund in each member states.
* [regional integration] COMESA finalises new trade regime
The Herald, Harare via tralac. 29 July 2010
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has finalised the implementation of its Simplified Trade Regime, which will facilitate cross border trade within the regional bloc, the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development has said.
The Simplified Trade Regime basically functions to reduce the cost and time of clearing goods, thereby enhancing trade and lowering the price of commodities.
* EU backs off on EPA
Servaas van den Bosch, IPS, 29 July 2010
European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht has appeased leading European civil society organisations about the negotiations for a Southern African economic partnership agreement (EPA), promising "not to put undue pressure" on countries. According to Marc Maes, trade policy officer at 11.11.11, the move signals an "EPA-fatigue" in Europe. […]
According to Maes, the realisation has dawned in Europe that the negotiations need to be concluded before the Third Africa-EU summit in November 2010 in Libya. "There is an EPA-fatigue manifesting itself in Europe after eight years of intense negotiations. The European Commission has take on extra responsibilities, such as developing a comprehensive investment policy. It is eager to close this chapter and will be keen to make the Libya summit a show of harmony not marred by tense negotiations on trade," Maes told IPS from Brussels. He predicts the EU will bow to the realities on the ground in Southern Africa, putting some of the more contentious demands on the backburner until the region is ready to negotiate clauses on liberalisation of services and investment. […]Namibian trade analyst Wallie Roux also expects that the region will use the Libya summit to increase pressure on the EC to close a deal.
* New push to conclude fraught SADC-EC trade deal by year-end
Christy van der Merwe, Creamer Media’s Engineering News, 11 August 2010
A recent Southern African Development Community (SADC)-European Commission (EC) meeting on the future of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) governing trade between the two regions has been described constructive by a top South African trade negotiator. […]
Department of Trade and Industry International Trade and Economic Development deputy director-general Xavier Carim did however caution that, while the meeting was encouraging, "we are not out of the woods yet," and there was still much work that needed to be done. Carim said that there was positive development on about 60% of the outstanding issues […]The most favoured nation (MFN) proposal remained a core issue on which the parties were still "miles apart".
* More time needed for EPA talks - Motlhale
Mbongeni Mguni, Mmegi-online via Bilaterals.org, 11 August 2010
Odirile Motlhale said the region needed to be afforded more time to understand and discuss the various complex commitments demanded by a full EPA with the EU. Motlhale, who is also the joint-Chair of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, recently returned from the fifth ACP-EU Regional Meeting of East Africa in the Seychelles. The legislator said similar concerns were raised in the Seychelles meeting. "They discussed the EPAs and the context was to say these affect regional integration," he said. "That side they have COMESA, EAC and EGAD, which are regional bodies and what they were saying is that EPA are a configuration to help with trade, but they must not undermine regional integration."In southern Africa, we also have SACU, SADC and other states that belong to COMESA. When we don’t move together as a region towards EPA, like when others have signed and others have not, this creates problems for regional integration."
* SACU summit was not about conflict resolution - Minister
Teetee Zwane, The Swazi Observer, 20 July 2010
On media reports in regional publications which reported that the summit was in fact mainly about the resolution of the EPA issue and that the outcome was that Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland had ‘agreed’ to follow the ‘proper’ process and that in the meeting South Africa offered to assist the rest of the member countries in the negotiation process, the minister [of Commerce, Industry and Trade Jabulile Mashwama] vehemently denied that as an outcome of the meeting, saying “clearly the SA media’s reliable source is significantly misinformed.
“It should be known that the meeting was about all SACU member states finding a solution in all the 10-plus issues that were brought before the heads of state and governments and no one country was singled out as one to help any other, and to my knowledge no one country has the perfect solution
-> For background information (expectations prior the SACU meeting of heads of state and government), see previous article on this subject, Sacu Set to Decide On EPA, Desie Heita, New Era, 14 July 2010
-> Read the Communiqué of the SACU meeting of Heads of State and Governement
-> Read also, Disappointing’ SACU talks fail to resolve disunity over EU deals, Donwald Pressly, Business Report, 20 July 2010
* [civil society] SAPSN summit ends with calls to reject EPA
Stanley Kwenda and Njabulo Ncube, via Bilaterals.org 16 August 2010
The Southern African People’s Network (SAPSN) summit ended on a high note on Monday in Windhoek, Namibia with a call for regional governments to reject the imposition of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA). […] The groups called for the, “rejection of all free trade agreements and especially the EU-imposed Economic Partnership Agreements which are dividing and threatening the very survival and future development of SACU and SADC.”
-> Read the communiqué
-> Read also EPA the biggest threat to African integration, (Dot Keet), Tirivangani Masawi, Informante, 19 August 2010
* Pacific ACP Leaders Meet in Port Vila
FSM Information Services, August 9, 2010
On August 3, 2010, the Leaders from the Pacific section of the African, Caribbean, Pacific (PACP) countries held their 8th summit meeting at Le Lagon Resort, in Port Vila, Vanuatu. […]The PACP leaders were first presented with a status update regarding the implementation of the various Pacific Regional Indicative Programmes of the European Development Fund (EDF) currently active in the region.[…] An Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is also currently being negotiated between the PACP and the European Union (EU). The Leaders were informed progress had been made on a number of provisions, but that the issue of fisheries remained contentious; the Leaders therefore agreed with the Parties of the Nauru Agreement (PNA)'s request to exclude fisheries from the negotiations and continue to move forward with the draft of the EPA.
-> See also, Pacific ACP leaders conclude meeting on EU assistance and trade, Pacific.Scoop, Press Release, 4 August 2010
* Region 'genuine' in trade effort
Elenoa Baselala, Fiji Times, 10 August 2010
The African Caribbean Pacific secretary general, Doctor Mohamed Ibn Chambas, believes the European Union is genuine in its efforts to trade with the Pacific.
Dr Chambas who met Pacific Islands Forum leaders in Port Villa, Vanuatu said any economic partnership agreement reached should not leave any Pacific island country worse off than before it was signed.[…] Dr Chambas said the negotiating of comprehensive trade agreements between countries in the region and the EU must be slowed down. In fact, the Pacific should trade as a region and this is a way for true regional development.
-> Read also EPA must be development tool: ACP SG, Daily Post, 6 August 2010
* Leffler said No decision yet on extension to EDF funding after 2013
Vanuatu Today News, 6 August 2010
An extension to the current European Development Fund (EDF), enjoyed by all the 14 Forum Island Countries that are members of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) is not clear, once it expires in 2013. […]“That discussion is just beginning. The European Commission will table some policy paper on it to kick off the formal discussions. In the context of that debate between member states, there will also be a reflection on the future of the EDF. (Leffler) […]On the state of play of the Economic Partnership Agreement with the Pacific, Deputy DG Leffler brushed aside concerns that it’s competing with Australia and New Zealand in the development of its trade regime with the Pacific. […] “The difficulty is in the preparing of offers and the need for technical expertise. We have provided assistance to the Pacific Islands Forum to enable Forum Island Countries to defend their interests.
As the EU looks to deepen its future engagement with the Pacific, Mr Leffler said they are looking at expanding the possibility of transferring EDF funds directly to national budgets of Forum Island Countries.
* Négociations APE avec l’UE; l’Afrique Centrale réunit à Kinshasa
Xinhuanet, via French.Peopledaily.com, 30 July 2010
En prélude à la relance des négociations annoncée bientôt avec l'Union européenne (UE) sur l'Accord de partenariat économique (APE), les négociateurs de l'Afrique centrale se réunissent jeudi à Kinshasa en République démocratique du Congo (RDC) pour harmoniser leurs points de vue, selon une source proche du dossier. […]"Pour la relance des négociations, les Européens veulent qu'on reprenne les négociations sur la base de 71% d'ouverture et 29% d' exclusion des marchés. Ils refusent les 60% proposés par les ministres à Douala", a confié récemment à Xinhua le Dr Maximin Emagna.
-> Read also, Cemac : concertation sur l'Accord de partenariat économique, Noël Ndong, Les Depeches de Brazzaville, 9 July 2010
* Accords de partenariat économique avec l'Union européenne : une formation pour les cadres de l'Administration
Nancy France Loutoumba, Les Depeches de Brazzaville, 12 August 2010
Les cadres de l'administration publique sont invités à s'approprier les accords de partenariat économique (APE) entre l'Union européenne et l'Afrique centrale, dont les négociations vont bientôt reprendre. Ainsi ces fonctionnaires sont-ils tenus de bien saisir l'importance des sujets en discussion afin d'en appréhender les enjeux et les opportunités. L'appel leur a été adressé hier par le représentant du ministère du Commerce et des Approvisionnements au cours de l'atelier de sensibilisation, d'information et de formations aux APE des acteurs concernés.
Notons que le séminaire a été organisé par le ministère du Commerce et des Approvisionnements en collaboration avec le programme Tradecom ACP-Union européenne. Il s'étendra au secteur privé le 13 août, à la société civile le 17 août, et au Parlement le 19 du même mois. Le séminaire sera organisé à Pointe-Noire à partir du 24 août.
* CEMAC/CEEAC: accord pour le mécanisme de coordination du programme indicatif régional
Xinhuanet, via Africatime, 09 July 2010
Le secrétaire général de la Communauté économique des Etats de l'Afrique centrale (CEEAC), Louis-Sylvain Goma, et le président de la Commission de la Communauté économique et monétaire de l'Afrique centrale (CEMAC), Antoine Ntsimi, ont paraphé à Yaoundé un accord sur le mécanisme de coordination et de suivi du programme indicatif régional. […] Le rôle du mécanisme de coordination et de suivi est de faciliter la mise en place du don de l'UE lié aux fonds FED, selon le président de la Commission de la CEMAC. Selon [Ntsimi], l'objectif de cette facilité est de promouvoir l' intégration régionale. "Les deux ensembles que constituent la CEMAC d'un côté et la CEEAC de l'autre côté dans le cadre des communautés économiques en Afrique centrale bénéficieront donc de cette facilité", a-t-il également précisé.
"Les domaines que cette facilité nous permettra d'améliorer, a jouté M. Nstimi, sont ceux liés au commerce et aussi à la facilitation des accords de partenariat économique (APE) en cours de négociation entre l'Union européenne et l'Afrique centrale". D'un montant de 150 millions d'euros, ce programme porte spécifiquement sur trois domaines de concentration.
* [bananas] Offensive africaine pour les exportations de banane vers l'UE face à la forte concurrence latino-américaine
Raphaël MVOGO, French. News. Cn, 26 july 2010
Menacés par la forte concurrence des pays d'Amérique latine, le Cameroun, la Côte d' Ivoire et le Ghana, les trois principaux pays producteurs d' Afrique, ont lancé vendredi à Yaoundé une offensive pour garantir leurs exportations de banane vers le marché de l'Union européenne (UE) en exigeant plus de fonds de soutien de celle-ci par rapport aux autres pays ACP. Une déclaration adoptée au terme d'une concertation par les ministres camerounais du Commerce, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, et ivoirien, Calice Yapo Yapo, puis le vice-ministre ghanéen du Commerce et de l'Industrie, Mahama Ayariga, appelle à des règles de répartition plus équitables d'une enveloppe de 190 millions d' euros à répartir avec 7 autres pays du groupe Afrique, Caraïbes et Pacifique (ACP).
Les 190 millions d'euros représentent les mesures d'accompagnement de la banane décidées par l'UE sur la période 2010-2013 en faveur de 10 pays ACP, à la suite de l'accord de Genève signé le 15 décembre 2009 entre la Commission européenne et les pays latino-américains qui induit un démantèlement progressif des droits de douane applicables sur ce produit.
-> Read the interview of Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana (in french only), ”La banane camerounaise a encore de belles pages à écrire”, La Belle Expression, 27 July 2010
---
III. Selection from the acp-eu-trade.org Library
---
* Joining up Africa Support to Regional Integration
James Mackie, Isabelle Ramdoo, Takesh Lucko, Henrike Hohmeister, Discussion Paper 99, ECDPM, July 2010
This report summarises the main findings of a study conducted by ECDPM in preparation for the Joining up Africa (JUA) conference held in London on 3-4 March 2010. It addresses key issues relating to aid effectiveness at the regional level in view of improving donor support to regional integration processes in Africa.
* COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken by the EU in the Joint CARIFORUM-EU Council on the amendment of Annex IV to the EPA by incorporating the commitments of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Council Decision, Council of the European Union, 26 August 2010
* Relations between the European Parliament and the Council - Common Commercial policy
Cover Note, Council of the European Union, 19 July 2010
COVER NOTE from Mr Vital MOREIRA, Chair of the Committee on International Trade of the EP to Mr Steven VANACKERE, President in office of the Council of the European Union.
* ACP-EU: Intermediary Organisations: Partnership for the development of enterprise
Pro-Invest, CDE, Catalogue, July 2010
This report details the individual ACP and EU member countries Intermediary Organisations, which are drawn from different sectors such as services, multi-sector, travel, agriculture, education, food, leather, energy, chemicals, livestock-farming-fishing, trade, transport and others.
* The revised Cotonou Partnership Agreement: What does this change for trade and regional integration?
European Commission, 22 July 2010
Gradual integration into the world economy is a stepping stone to the alleviation and ultimately the eradication of poverty. To this aim, the revised [CPA] agreement confirms the commitment of all parties to a new trade partnership based on Economic Partnership Agreements and draws the consequences of the expiry of the previous trade regime as of 1st January 2008. In this second revision of the Cotonou Agreement, the EU and the ACP also agreed to address the trend towards regionalisation through increased differentiation within the ACP group while strengthening the unity of the group.
* Legal Analysis of Services and Investment in the Cariforum-EC EPA: Lessons for other Developing Countries
Jane Kelsey, Research Paper, South Centre, July 2010
This Research Paper is a legal analysis of the EC-Cariforum Services and Investment Chapter. It demystifies the many complex technical details in the EPA text and illustrates where this services and investment template goes beyond the WTO's GATS. The paper highlights implications for other developing countries embarking on similar negotiations with the EU.
* Revisiting the ACP-EU Economic Partnership Agreements. The Role of Complementary Trade and Investment Policies
Matthias Busse, INTERECONOMICS, Volume 45, Number 4, 249-25, July-August 2010
Negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreements between African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and the European Union have not been making much progress recently. How should the Partnership Agreements be structured to ensure a pro-development outcome and how could the negotiations gain more momentum in the months and years ahead ?
* What Does the Future Hold for SACU? From Own Goal to Laduma! Scenarios for the Future of the Southern African Customs Union
SAIIA Occasional Paper, No 63, July 2010
A group of Southern African Customs Union (SACU) experts and interested parties recently participated in a scenario-planning exercise on the future of SACU. This paper gives an account of the scenarios developed, which range from SACU collapsing to a scenario where it deepens into a common market. The exercise first mapped out the key certainties and uncertainties that SACU is facing. These range from the certainty that SACU will be impacted by the global economic slowdown to the uncertainty over whether an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) will be concluded and what the final content and configuration of this agreement will be. The impact of these circumstances (and others) will shape the future of SACU. The key certainties and uncertainties identified were then used to map the likelihood of these elements transpiring and what their potential impact will be on SACU. They constitute the gameboard of the scenarios. On the gameboard four quadrants are envisaged, each representing a different future for SACU. SACU’s current position is noted on the board, as well as its ideal future. Driving forces are identified that would either move SACU towards or away from this ideal future. The group envisaged four possible futures for SACU and named them ‘Laduma!’, ‘Wild Card’, ‘Own Goal’ and ‘Red Card’, with ‘Laduma!’ representing the quadrant in which SACU’s ideal future lies. The key driving forces that would move SACU towards this goal include the conclusion of the EPA negotiations and a strong role for the SACU heads of state. Driving forces for a ‘Red Card’ scenario – a potential future in which South Africa no longer supports Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland and in which SACU collapses – are equally strong and plausible, with South African political instability emerging as the strongest potential driving force. It is hoped that these scenarios will assist policymakers in their strategic prioritisation over the coming months and years.
* World Investment Report 2010 - Investing in a low-carbon Economy
Annual Report, UNCTAD, July 2010
Global foreign direct investment (FDI) witnessed a modest, but uneven recovery in the first half of 2010. This sparks some cautious optimism for FDI prospects in the short run and for a full recovery further on. UNCTAD expects global inflows to reach more than $1.2 trillion in 2010, rise further to $1.3–1.5 trillion in 2011, and head towards $1.6–2 trillion in 2012. However, these FDI prospects are fraught with risks and uncertainties, including the fragility of the global economic recovery.
Developing and transition economies attracted half of global FDI inflows, and invested one quarter of global FDI outflows. They are leading the FDI recovery and will remain favourable destinations for FDI. [...]
Overcoming barriers for attracting FDI remains a key challenge for small, vulnerable and weak economies. Overseas development assistance (ODA) can act as a catalyst for boosting the role of FDI in least developed countries (LDCs). For landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) to succeed in attracting FDI they need to shift their strategy to focus on distance to markets rather than distance to ports. Focusing on key niche sectors is crucial if small islands developing States (SIDS) are to succeed in attracting FDI
* World Trade Report 2010 Trade in natural resources
Trade Report, WTO, 23 July 2010
The World Trade Report 2010 focuses on trade in natural resources, such as fuels, forestry, mining and fisheries. The Report examines the characteristics of trade in natural resources, the policy choices available to governments and the role of international cooperation, particularly of the WTO, in the proper management of trade in this sector.
A key question is to what extent countries gain from open trade in natural resources. Some of the issues examined in the Report include the role of trade in providing access to natural resources, the effects of international trade on the sustainability of natural resources, the environmental impact of resources trade, the so-called natural resources curse, and resource price volatility.
* The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries
Katerina Kyrili, Matthew Martin, Research report, DFI for Oxfam, July 2010
This report examines the impact of the global financial crisis on the budgets of low- income countries, especially their spending to reach the Millennium Development Goals. The crisis created a huge budget revenue hole of $65bn, of which aid has filled only one-third. As a result, after some fiscal stimulus to combat the crisis in 2009, most LICs (including those with IMF programmes) are cutting MDG spending, especially on education and social protection. They have also had to borrow expensive domestic loans, and increase anti-poor sales taxes. Almost all LICs could absorb much more aid without negative economic consequences (whereas they have much less space to borrow or to raise taxes). The report therefore urges the international community to make strong new aid commitments at the Millennium Summit in September 2010, funded by financial transaction taxes or other innovative financing; the IMF to encourage LICs to spend more on MDG goals and on combating climate change and to report regularly on such spending; and LIC governments to increase spending on social protection and education; taxation of income; property and foreign investors; and efforts to fight tax avoidance.
Michael Keen, Mario Mansour, Development Policy Review, Volume 28, Issue 5, September 2010
This is the first of two articles evaluating the nature and extent of, and possible responses to, two of the central challenges that globalisation poses for revenue mobilisation in sub-Saharan Africa: trade liberalisation, and corporate tax competition. Both articles use a new dataset with the features needed to address these issues meaningfully: a disentangling of tariff from commodity tax revenue, and a distinction between resource-related and other revenues. This first article describes that dataset, and provides a broad picture of revenue developments in the region between 1980 and 2005. Countries’ experiences have varied, but the overall picture is of non-resource revenues having been essentially stagnant. Within this, however, and with exceptions, reductions in trade tax revenue have been largely offset by increased revenue from domestic sources.
* Learning from experience: Sustainable economic development in the Pacific
Barry Coates, John Clark, Rachel Skeates, Oxfam Discussion Paper, July 2010
This original research from Oxfam New Zealand aims to learn about economic development in the Pacific from some of the organisations that are doing it successfully. The Pacific has been buffeted by natural disasters, economic volatility, occasional social turmoil and rising numbers of young men and women with unmet expectations. To help overcome these hardships and build a better future for growers, craftspeople and their families, development must be sustainable, generate broad-based benefits, appropriate to the local culture, and scalable to make a significant contribution to the region’s needs. This paper draws lessons from the experience of some exciting enterprises across the Pacific. The intention of the research has been to stimulate debate and new thinking on the ways in which enterprises can not only compete internationally from their Pacific base, but also contribute to sustainable economic development.
* The World Bank and SubSaharan Africa : The next Policy Paradigm
Callisto Madavo, ACBF DEVELOPMENT MEMOIRS SERIES, 004, June 2010
Dr. Callisto Madavo, former Vice-President in charge of the Africa Region at the World Bank, draws on his extensive experience and shares insights on the theme: The World Bank and Sub-Saharan Africa: The Next Policy Paradigm.
According to this document, the World Bank policy towards Africa has evolved to become more decentralized, based on a bottom-up and participatory approach in its dialogue with and programs in Africa. However, the World Bank needs to improve African representation within the various structures of the institution, with a view to strengthening the voice of the continent in terms of decision and focus on African-related issues. By the same token, African countries should address the lack of good leadership and governance, two critical factors affecting the development of the African continent and its relationship with the World Bank. African leaders should be inclusive of their people, responsive to the needs of their countries, and more assertive in their relations with donors, including the World Bank
* Increasing the Impact of Trade Expansion on Growth: Lessons from Trade Reforms for the design of Aid for Trade
Jean Jacques Hallaert, OECD Trade Policy Working Papers, No. 100, OECD Publishing, July 2010
The working paper “Binding Constraints to Trade Expansion: Aid for Trade Objectives and Diagnostics Tools” [OECD Trade Policy Working Paper No. 94] showed that the most common objectives of Aid for Trade have the potential to boost economic growth. However, this growth potential may not always be realized. While most trade reforms had a positive impact, some trade reforms proved unsustainable and some trade reforms did not have a meaningful impact on growth. This working paper discusses the various reasons for these outcomes in order to draw the lessons for the design of aid-for-trade projects and programmes and increase their effectiveness.
* Aid for Trade: An Action Agenda Looking Forward
John S. Wilson, Bernard Hoekman in Economic Premise, PREM, World Bank, August 2010, N5
The current postcrisis environment—and fragile economic recovery—increases the importance of aid for trade. Global rebalancing and tightened fiscal budgets in the short to medium term also place renewed emphasis on aid effectiveness. This note identifies four options to enhance the effectiveness of the multilateral aid for trade initiative: (i) expanding market access for least-developed countries (LDCs) through leadership by middle-income G-20 members; (ii) creating a mechanism to identify good practices in domestic regulation of service markets and other “behind-the-border” trade-related policies ; (iii) leveraging the dynamism and knowledge of the private sector to improve trade facilitation and build capacity and (iv) making a concerted effort to expand data collection and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of aid for Trade.
* Trade & Development in Least Developed Countries - Assessing Transport and Trade Facilitation in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania
Olawale Ogunkola, Vasudave Daggupaty, Christian Ksoll, Achintya Singh, Report submitted for partial fulfillment of the requirements for the MPA Capstone Project Project Leader: Prof. Raymond Saner, Ph.D., SciencesPo Paris, 2010
This report will analyze whether the current transportation infrastructure is efficient and effective for improving exports. In geographic terms, the scope of the project is limited to Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania, all members of the East African Community. Considering the importance of agricultural commodities, this report discusses solely coffee exports as commodity. The variable of interest is transportation infrastructure – herewith limited to road and highways, railways and culminating in port facilities where actual foreign export takes place. The study seeks to analyze the planned construction of the Central Transport Corridor between Kampala (Uganda) to Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania) via Kigali (Rwanda) and the improvements in trade that are expected to follow. Much of the analysis focuses on the opportunities and challenges for this new transport corridor.
* The Political Economy of Trade and Food Security
Ann Tutwiler, Andrea Woolverton, Anita Regmi, ICTSD Think Piece, July 2010
Securing enough food to meet the needs of a growing global population requires managing the complex interplay between farming at home and trade with others. Andrea Wolverton, Anita Regmi and Ann Tutwiler look into challenges of political economy that undernourishment presents and how donors, such as the US, may be able to help
* Read the CTA interviews:
Production and trade adjustment in the ACP: The experience of the Caribbean rum sector, An interview with Vaughn Renwick, West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association, the Caribbean, CTA, August 2010
Production and trade adjustment in the ACP: The experience of the sugar sector in Mauritius, An interview with Jocelyn Kwok, Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture, Mauritius, CTA , August 2010.
* On the SUGAR SECTOR, read also:
Corporate restructuring in the EU sugar sector: Implications for the ACP, CTA, Special Report, May 2010
Regional perspectives on changing EU-ACP sugar sector relations: The impact of duty-free, quota-free access on ACP exporters
CTA, Special Report, May 2010