New push to conclude SADC-EC trade deal by year-end

The intention to conclude an agreement by the end of the year, and a work programme, including a further three meetings before year-end, had been agreed by the participants.

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. The meeting was held in Brussels at the end of July, and focused on tariffs and rules of origin, as well as unsolved negotiating issues relating to legal issues in the EPA texts.