TRADE-ZIMBABWE: EPAs ‘‘Bringing in Old Issues Through Back Door’’

With an economy tottering on the brink of collapse and an unenviable political situation, civil society organisations in Zimbabwe have every reason to worry about the implications of the interim agreement on trade in goods that their country has just signed as part of the economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU).

TRADE-GHANA: Mary Robinson Concerned About EU Approach to EPAs

This weekend an award will be presented to the best farmer in Ghana in recognition of the pivotal contribution that agriculture makes to the economy of this West African country.

TRADE-EAST AFRICA: EPA Signed to &#39&#39Protect&#39&#39 Small Farmers

The East African Community signed a framework agreement as part of the economic partnership agreement (EPA) talks with the European Union (EU) to ensure continued access to EU markets for African small farmers, says Juma Mwapachu, secretary general of the East African regional body.

TRADE-AFRICA: EPAs Under Fire From European Parliamentarians

No fanfare was made in Brussels in the past week over European Union officials' breakthrough in the trade talks on economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with almost 80 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

TRADE: Mandelson Attacks South Africa and Nigeria Over EPAs

Africa’s largest nations are trying to block the signing of the economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with the European Union (EU), Peter Mandelson, EU trade commissioner, claimed today.

TRADE-EAST AFRICA: Officials Confused About Pros and Cons of EPA

The news that the ministers of the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) are on the verge of signing an economic partnership agreement with the European Union (EU) has been received with mixed reactions by government officials from these very same countries.

TRADE: Caribbean Digs in Heels on European Deadline

With the Dec. 31 deadline nearing for former European colonies to sign sweeping new trade agreements with the European Union, the Caribbean bloc says outstanding issues remain on the table and it may seek a postponement - something the EU has steadfastly resisted.

TRADE-AFRICA: Regional Integration Good For Growth – Paulson

The momentum towards regional integration in East Africa received encouragement from the U.S. this week, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson saying that it should boost economic growth in the five-member East Africa bloc.

TRADE-AFRICA: ”EU Inflexible Towards Most Vulnerable Countries”

There has been no shortage of speculation in Brussels recently about breakthroughs being imminent in the trade talks taking place between the European Union (EU) and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

TRADE: EU Set to Milk East Africa With Subsidised Goods?

‘‘Dairy farmers in Kenya are doing well now,’’ says Peter Wanyeki, as he flashes a big smile. ‘‘Before, when we went home to the village, you could never take enough money with you. Everybody was poor. But now the situation is different. The dairy farmers are rich because they are getting a very good price for their milk.’’

TRADE-GHANA: &#39&#39EU Will Be the Main Beneficiary of the EPAs&#39&#39

If Ghana’s government used civil society protests as guideline as to which way to go in the negotiations with the European Union (EU) on the economic partnership agreement (EPA), the talks would have been terminated.

TRADE-EAST AFRICA: Chaos On Eve of EPA Deadline

On the eve of the deadline of the finalisation of the economic partnership agreement (EPA) negotiations, chaos reigns.

TRADE-KENYA: Court Bid to Stop EPA &#39&#39Human Rights Violations&#39&#39

An unexpected challenge has been directed at the economic partnership agreement (EPA) being negotiated between the European Union and the east and southern African group. Two lobby groups have filed a law suit in Kenya to halt the signing of the EPA.

TRADE-AFRICA: The EPAs – About Development or Exploitation?

Europe’s paternal trading relationship with African states threatens to end in an almighty family fall-out if they fail to sign the economic partnership agreements (EPAs) by the end-of-year deadline.

TRADE-EUROPE: EPAs Will Destroy African Economies – German NGOs

The economic partnership agreements (EPAs), proposed by the European Union (EU) to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, constitute a "neo-colonial instrument" which will destroy the economic and social basis in African states, according to some German non-governmental organisations.

TRADE: EU May Have To Cut Ambitions

Just two months before a deadline set by the European Union for signing all-embracing free trade accords with some of the world's poorest countries, the EU has admitted that it will have to reduce its ambition.

Q&A: &#39Caribbean Closer to Deal With Europe, But Not There&#39

Caribbean countries have said they are committed to finalising Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union by the year-end, even though a number of hurdles remain. These pertain to the "already severe social, economic and fiscal dislocations to these small and vulnerable economies by the ongoing phasing out of preferences," says Colin Granderson, assistant secretary-general of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

TRADE: EU Talks Tough with the Poor

The European Union's top trade official has refused to accept African demands that he grant them lengthy transition periods for removing restrictions on imports under a new market opening deal.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Issue of Services Is Delaying EPA Talks

Including the so-called new generation or Singapore issues in the economic partnership agreements (EPAs) will make the conclusion of the deals unlikely by the December 31 deadline.

TRADE-WEST AFRICA: &#39&#39No Postponement of EPA Deadline&#39&#39 – EU

The European Union has rejected calls by West African states to postpone the end-of-year deadline for concluding a free trade agreement.

TRADE: &#39EU Undermining Agriculture in Africa&#39

Europe is undermining its own efforts to strengthen African agriculture by foisting free trade on the continent, a Ghanaian farm leader has complained.