EPA still on

Caribbean states appear set to move forward with a new trading pact with Europe, despite appeals by their African and Pacific partners.



The 79-member African Caribbean and Pacific grouping are currently in negotiations for the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).



With the exception of Guyana, all indications are that representatives of the 15-member CARICOM and the Dominican Republic will join with European designates in signing on to the final document in Barbados later this month.



CARICOM officials say arrangements are currently being made for the signing ceremony which is slated for October 15 in Bridgetown by the regional states, which first initialled the EPA last December.