The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is an establishment between CARIFORUM (Member states of CARICOM and the Dominican Republic) states and the 27 member states of the European Union for reciprocal (two-way) trade signed on the 16th day of December 2007. The objective of this agreement is to contribute to the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty, promote regional integration, economic cooperation and good governance.

This agreement was negotiated under four technical negotiating groups:

• • • Market access
    • Services and investment
    • Trade related issues
    • Legal and institutional issues

The EPA promotes the gradual integration of the CARIFORUM states into the world economy, improving the CARIFORUM states’ capacity in trade policy and trade related matters. It also supports the conditions for increasing investment, and strengthens the existing relations between the Parties on the basis of solidarity and mutual interest. EPA contains a strong development component with clear links to development aid for adjustment and modernization of CARIFORUM economies. It grants CARIFORUM States considerable concessions in market access for both good and services. Products originating in the CARIFORUM States shall be imported duty free into the European Community. In addition to expanding its exports of goods and service, the EPA also provides investment opportunities to private sector in CARIFORUM.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE CARIFORUM-EU ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT