c. ononaiwu - the epa in a nutshell [otn]

8/2/2019 C. Ononaiwu - The EPA in a Nutshell [OTN]

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THE CARIFORUM-EU

ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

AGREEMENT

IN A NUTSHELL

Dr Chantal Ononaiwu, Trade Policy & Legal Specialistwww.crnm.org

Barbados Private Sector Trade Team Workshop Breaking theBarriers Down: Welcoming the Brands of Barbados

Conference Room of the BCCI/BEC, Barbados5 April 2012


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INTRODUCTION

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

between the 15 CARIFORUM States and

the EU and its 27 Member States providesa comprehensive framework for trade and

investment and related cooperation

between the regions.

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INTRODUCTION

The EPA is wide-ranging and covers: trade in goods trade in services, investment and e-commerce

trade-related issuescompetition policy, innovationand intellectual property, government procurement,labour, environment, personal data protection

Overviews of the EPA and key parts of theAgreement are readily accessible (see e.g.Guides by CRNM and Barbados EPAImplementation Unit)

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INTRODUCTION

Focus of the presentation is on opportunities the EPAaffords Barbados manufacturers to develop their

businesses through trade, owing to:

Preferential access of CARIFORUM exports to the EU market

Cooperation on customs procedures and trade facilitation

Consultation and cooperation on SPS and TBT-related issues

Cooperation on promoting innovation and competitiveness ofCARIFORUM firms

Market access for investors establishing a commercialpresence

Temporary entry of business persons in the EU

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Key Features

THE EPA5


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Preferential Access of CARIFORUM

Exports to the EU Market

EPA provides for duty-free quota-free access for all

CARIFORUM products to the EU market (including

the French Caribbean Outermost Regions)

Rules of origin permit cumulation, i.e. goods canqualify as originating in the CARIFORUM States if

they incorporate materials from the CARIFORUM

States, EU Overseas Countries and Territories, other

ACP countries and neighbouring Latin American

countries

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Preferential Access of CARIFORUM

Exports to the EU Market

Rules of origin afford Barbadian manufacturers

exporting to the EU scope to source inputs from

other countries (some of which have preferential

trade agreements with CARICOM)

Opportunities for investment from/partnerships with

firms seeking to capitalise on preferential access of

CARIFORUM goods to the EU market

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Improving Customs Procedures and Trade

Facilitation in CARIFORUM States

EPA provides for technical cooperation and assistance on

modernisation of customs techniques

introduction of procedures and practices reflecting internationalstandards

automation of customs and trade procedures

Recognition of the need for the business community to beengaged in this process of reform

timely and regular dialogue with firms on legislative proposals

advance notification of new or amended legislation andprocedures

cooperation between firms and administrations, e.g. via MOUs

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Improving Customs Procedures and Trade

Facilitation in CARIFORUM States

Potential to harness EPA-related assistance to

support governments initiatives to simplify and

modernise customs procedures, which can enhance

the trade environment and reduce business costs formanufacturers

Essential for the private sector proactively engage

in the reform process

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Consultations and Cooperation on

SPS and TBT-related Issues

The EPA provides for:

Consultations between the Parties to solve specific SPS

problems or problems related to technical measures

that may affect CARIFORUM-EU trade Collaboration between the Parties to enable specific

products to meet technical regulations and standards

required to access the EU market

Cooperation to develop the capacity of CARIFORUMenterprises to meet regulatory and market

requirements in the EU

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Promoting Innovation and Competitiveness

of CARIFORUM Firms

Specific emphasis on increasing the competitiveness ofthe agricultural, food and fisheries sectors throughinnovation, training and promotion of linkages

Provision for participation of CARIFORUM enterprises inthe EUs framework programmes

Provision for cooperation in the areas of

competitiveness and innovation

science and technology information society and ICT

Eco-innovation and renewable energy

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Market Access for Investors

Barbados committed to grant market access to EU

investors establishing a commercial presence in

manufacturing (including through capital

participation in local enterprises) Barbadian investors wishing to set up a commercial

presence in the EU (including to provide related or

auxiliary services) also afforded access

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Temporary Entry of Business

Persons

Provision for temporary entry of employees of

Barbadian firms setting up a commercial presence

in the EU to work in the commercial presence there

(business visitors, intra-corporate transfers, graduatetrainees)

Opportunities for Barbadian entrepreneurs to enter

the EU on a short-term basis for business purposes,

e.g. negotiating or concluding sales agreements,

market research, trade fairs, exhibitions

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Harnessing the Opportunities of theEPA

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Harnessing the Opportunities of the EPA

Manufacturers seeking to export to the EU must

enhance their understanding of the EU market

consumption profiles of EU Member States and

requirements for supplying goods to these markets Export-oriented manufacturers should develop

contacts and seek out market opportunities in the

EU, using facility for short term visitors for business

purposes

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Harnessing the Opportunities of the EPA

Manufacturers looking to export to the EU should

explore viability of sourcing inputs from countries

covered by cumulation provisions of the Rules of

Origin Manufacturers and the BMA must work closely with

the EPA Implementation Unit, including to assess their

needs and those of the sector and submit requests

for technical assistance

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THANK YOU

[email protected]
http://www.crnm.org/http://www.crnm.org/

c. ononaiwu - the epa in a nutshell [otn]

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