SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement Information Seminar

20 June 2007 in Windhoek, Namibia

The Consortium was invited to present the final report of the “Sustainability Impact Assessment of EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) - Summary of findings, policy recommendations and lessons learned” and in particular the study on Rules of Origin in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region at a SADC EPA information seminar organised by the European Commission on 20 June 2007 in Windhoek, Namibia.

The meeting was attended by approximately fifty participants, including several NGOs and business representatives from the SADC region. Unfortunately, the guest of honour, the Minister/PS Ministry of Trade and Industry was unable to attend. Moreover, the negotiator from the European Commission, Ivano Casella was ill and unable to attend the meeting.

There were several presentations discussing the role of South Africa in the SADC Group negotiations and the impact of this, in particular on the BNLS countries (Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland). There was considerable interest in both rules of origin and investment. The European Commission made a comprehensive presentation on the types of programs and funding available to assist the private sector in the SADC region with respect to its trade with the EU.

Participants expressed interest with respect to the consultation process conducted during the SIA and who had been consulted. Participants were referred to the website, and the lists of those consulted that are included at the end of the sector studies and other studies.

Hardcopies of the SIA studies were made available to participants during the meeting. Electronic copies of presentations and the documents distributed during the meeting are available below:

Documents:

• Opening remarks by Honourable Immanuel Ngatjizeko, MP Minister of Trade and Industry of Namibia on the occasion of the SADC / EU EPA seminar
• Opening statement by Ambassador Dr. Elisabeth Pape, Head of the EC Delegation to Namibia
• DG-Development presentation: The development dimension of EPAs
• J. Hoffmann: How to take Private Sector Interests into account
• Development component and civil society concerns
• K. Olislagers: Export Helpdesk - An instrument to facilitate exports from developing countries into the European Union
• S. Richardson: EU-ACP Sustainability Impact Assessment of Economic Partnership Agreements: Summary of findings

SIA studies discussed and distributed during the meeting:

• SIA of the EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreements - Phase Three* - Rules of Origin in the Southern African Development Community Group (SADC Group), October 2006
• SIA of the EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreements - Summary of key findings, policy recommendations and lessons learned, June 2007