CARICOM To Discuss EU EPA

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

03 June 2011

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is to press forward with its implementation of the European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), with an impending meeting expected to discuss the deal's intricacies.

The inaugural meeting of the Trade and Development Committee, set up to aid the passage of the EPA, is to be held from June 9-10. In addition, it will be preceded by a Preparatory CARIFORUM Session, scheduled for June 8.

The Committee is designed to provide for the supervision of, and has responsibility for, the implementation and proper application of the provisions of the Agreement.

The agenda is expected to include:

• The proposal for a Special Committee on Trade and Investment for Haiti.
• Discussion of a report by CARIFORUM States on the border taxes such states are permitted to maintain for an agreed period, with respect to goods traded under the EPA.
• Talks on making a formal decision on the incorporation of the commitments of the Bahamas on Trade in Services under the EPA.
• Innovation, data protection and development cooperation will also feature heavily.

Commenting on the upcoming meeting, the Head of the EPA Implementation Unit at CARICOM, Branford Isaacs said it was a "momentous occasion".

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