SADC ramps up to seal EPA

In June, ministers from the seven EPA countries met in Gaborone and approved timelines for the finalisation and signing of a comprehensive EPA with the EU. Under the agreement, the states committed themselves to resolving sticking points that have seen negotiations drift past the original December 2007 deadline, enforceable by the World Trade Organisation.

The SADC-EPA group also committed itself to concluding negotiations on trade in services and investment by 2014, which - together with trade in goods - makes up the comprehensive EPA.