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The consequences of the 4 June signing of the EC-SADC EPA by some members of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) - and refusal to sign by others - has been the subject of intense debate in the international press. Some now say the controversy threatens the existence of SACU and the aftershocks are being felt through the SADC region.
In this double July-August issue, the lead article by ECDPM’s Aurelie Walker presents this historic event as the moment of truth for SACU countries to demonstrate their commitment to the customs union, and to define their oft repeated ambitions for regional integration.
SACU is a hot-bed of political tensions which are not known to many outside observers, but are critical to understanding the debate. Peter Draper and Nkululeko Khumalo from the South African Institute of International Affairs put the controversy into its local context from the economic and foreign policy perspective and put forward three ‘minimum’ solutions to the crisis.
In an interview with TNI, Botswana’s Minister of Trade and Industry Daniel Moroka explains the need for his country to sign the interim EPA, and expresses his views on the impact this will have on regional integration.
In “Tracing the Special and Differential Treatment Principle through the CARIFORUM EPA” Alisa DiCaprio and Silke Trommer ask how well the EPA process preserves the possibility to revert to WTO Special and Differential Treatment clauses. The insights may serve as points of reflection for ongoing negotiations as well as implementation.
In “Protected Geographical Indications for the ACP Countries: A Solution or a Mirage?” the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, the French Development Agency and OriGIn discuss how using geographical indications (GIs), to differentiate and add value to local knowledge and techniques, enables ACP countries to overcome the challenges posed by their weak position in EU markets.
ACP countries are still combating the effects of the global economic crisis. Mauritius is one of the few ACP countries that designed a stimulus package to rescue key industries in December 2008. Raj Makoond from the Mauritius Joint Economic Council outlines the development, key components, and challenges of the Mauritius stimulus package. Ahmed Parkar, Chairman of Mauritius Export Association complements Makoond’s article by analysing how firms in the textile sector have been affected by the package.
As always, comments are welcomed and can be addressed to aw@ecdpm.org.
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