Challenges Facing the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and West Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Juliet A. Ogbodo
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
The European Union ◽  
African Region ◽  
West African Region ◽  
Economic Partnership Agreement ◽  
Economic Partnership ◽  
Partnership Agreement ◽  
Progressive Agenda

Abstract Six years after negotiations, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the West African region is still in abeyance pending signatures from Nigeria. Following the fallout from the Cotonou Agreement, the proposed EPA was designed to comply with WTO rules on preferential trade agreements while reinforcing the long-standing relationship between the two parties. This article analyses the crucial challenges facing the ratification of the Agreement and the potential landmines that may be encountered with the harmonisation of the proposed agreement in the region. It shows that although the EPA provides a progressive agenda for the economic development of West Africa, effective implementation and proactive regional integration are key to realising the full potential of the Agreement.

scholarly journals PROBLEMS OF TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION, PROSPECTS FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT

2020 ◽  
pp. 102-110
Author(s):  
N. B. Sekongo
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
West Africa ◽  
West African ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Economic Partnership Agreement ◽  
Economic Partnership ◽  
Partnership Agreement

The problems of trade and economic relations between West African countries and the European Union have been considered in the article in detail, a brief description of the Economic Community of West African States has been given. The essence of relationships between West Africa and the European Union based on the papers, both foreign and domestic researchers in the field of security, regional economic development and integration etc. has been disclosed. The historical path within the framework of international legal documentation that preceded the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement has been described. The conducted study was based on the analysis of the cost dynamics of exports, imports and trade balance, their structure has been briefly adduced. The main negative aspects faced by West African countries in connection with the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement, in particular tariff restrictions, the ban on the use of export taxes, which undermines the national sovereignty of the Economic Community of West African States, have been revealed. Nevertheless, the signed Agreement will allow West Africa to actively integrate into world trade, improve the economic and demographic situation, while the overall trade tariff will remain at the same level.

scholarly journals The pros and cons of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the context of Member States’ trade relations with the European Union (EU)

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-85
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Czermińska ◽  
Joanna Garlińska-Bielawska
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Trade Relations ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Economic Partnership Agreement ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Economic Partnership ◽  
Partnership Agreement ◽  
Benefits And Costs ◽  
The Eu

The article aims to present the benefits and costs for the SADC member countries of the conclusion of EPA and of the implementation of trade liberalisation thereunder, in the light of their trade relations with the European Union. The hypothesis adopted is that for the majority of the SADC countries entering into the agreement will involve improved access for their products to the EU market. The assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of the conclusion of an EPA will take account of a situation in which the countries of the region would not sign an EPA: how their customs status would change and whether it would affect the conditions of trade with the European Union.

Estimating the Trade and Revenue Impacts of the European Union–CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement: A Case Study of Barbados

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 1129-1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Troy Lorde ◽  
Antonio Alleyne
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Substantial Fraction ◽  
Economic Partnership Agreement ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Economic Partnership ◽  
Partnership Agreement ◽  
Trade Partners ◽  
The Eu

This article estimates the trade and revenue impacts of implementation of the European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in Barbados. The simulations show that the trade and revenue impacts of the EPA in Barbados depend critically on whether the rates applied are the statutory or not. When the rates charged differ from statutory rates, overall imports are expected to rise, revenues fall and trade diverted to the European Union (EU), primarily from the USA. Conversely, application of statutory rates would result in lower imports, greater revenues and trade diverted primarily to Barbados’ other trade partners, particularly the USA. Despite the differences between both scenarios, the overall trade and revenue impacts on Barbados are likely to be small. This is likely due to the list of excluded products, which are among the most protected, and which make up a substantial fraction of all goods imported from the EU.

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