Regional leaders to sign EPA in Sept

Caribbean leaders are to meet in Barbados on September 2 for the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe and CARICOM.



It was previously announced that the leaders would affix their signatures to the new trade deal by the end of next month.



It is still unclear exactly how many countries will actually sign, although CARICOM has agreed in principle to the accord, which member states initialled last December.



At their summit in Antigua earlier this month, the heads of government gave broad commitment to the process, even as some concerns were raised about the trade agreement, which replaces the old preferential arrangements between the Caribbean and Europe.



The EPA, which will dictate future trade between Europe and the region, was negotiated between the European Union and the Caribbean Forum, CARIFORUM countries.