EPA signing on track

The Director General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM), Henry Gill, said all is set for the September 2 signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe, despite calls for the new trade deal to be renegotiated.



Guyana’s President, Bharrat Jagdeo and a number of regional academics have called for the agreement to be renegotiated, but Mr. Gill said to do so would be extremely complicated and virtually impossible.



Here in Jamaica, the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has called for wide consultation before the EPA is signed.



The PNP has also opposed the inclusion of the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) Clause, which will grant EU countries all trade advantages that any other nation receives.



The PNP believes the MFN clause could confer benefits on the developed EU countries at the expense of developing countries.



Despite this opposition, Mr. Gill said all the completed documents are already in Barbados, where the signing ceremony will take place.



The CRNM head has been tight-lipped about which CARICOM countries have already committed to the agreement negotiated between the EU and CARIFORUM, which include CARICOM and the Dominican Republic.



He said he believes that Guyana, which will hold a national consultation before making a decision, will be among the signatories.



He also warns that if any of the CARICOM leaders refuse to sign the EPA next month, it will cause problems for trade with Europe.