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21 October 2008 - Caribbean Net News
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyanese Ambassador to Brussels, Dr Patrick Gomes has signed the Caribbean Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on Monday in Brussels.
The European commission (EC) in a short statement said it is delighted by Guyana’s move.
“The Commission welcomes the decision by Guyana, which will now join the EU and its Member States and the other 13 Caribbean countries that signed the EPA in Barbados last week in implementing the agreement by the end of the month” the statement said.
On October 15, when 13 Cariforum countries inked a full Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, President Bharrat Jagdeo had promised to enter into the agreement before month end.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyanese Ambassador to Brussels, Dr Patrick Gomes has signed the Caribbean Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on Monday in Brussels.
The European commission (EC) in a short statement said it is delighted by Guyana’s move.
“The Commission welcomes the decision by Guyana, which will now join the EU and its Member States and the other 13 Caribbean countries that signed the EPA in Barbados last week in implementing the agreement by the end of the month” the statement said.
On October 15, when 13 Cariforum countries inked a full Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, President Bharrat Jagdeo had promised to enter into the agreement before month end.
21 October 2008 - The Nation News
AFTER BEING delayed under the influence of misgivings by some CARICOM members, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARIFORUM countries (CARICOM and the Dominican Republic) was signed last Wednesday in Barbados.
The main apprehensions that led to a number of postponements related to the possibility of European goods and services presenting unfair competition to what this region could offer. Regardless of repeated attempts to assure that regional interests would be safeguarded, Guyana insisted on amendments to the pact and did not attend Wednesday's ceremony.
However, all other CARIFORUM members (except Haiti) signed on, having reached compromise with Guyana for a joint declaration to safeguard the aims and objectives of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) in implementing the EPA, and for review of the accord five years after and at subsequent five-year periods.
AFTER BEING delayed under the influence of misgivings by some CARICOM members, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARIFORUM countries (CARICOM and the Dominican Republic) was signed last Wednesday in Barbados.
The main apprehensions that led to a number of postponements related to the possibility of European goods and services presenting unfair competition to what this region could offer. Regardless of repeated attempts to assure that regional interests would be safeguarded, Guyana insisted on amendments to the pact and did not attend Wednesday's ceremony.
However, all other CARIFORUM members (except Haiti) signed on, having reached compromise with Guyana for a joint declaration to safeguard the aims and objectives of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) in implementing the EPA, and for review of the accord five years after and at subsequent five-year periods.
19 October 2008 - David Jessop
After months of argument and eleventh-hour confusion, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Europe and Cariforum was signed in Barbados on October 15.
Guyana did not attend but is believed likely to sign in Brussels sometime before October 31, while Haiti has indicated that it will do so as soon as its remaining concerns can be addressed.
A little over a week before the formal ceremony, Guyana had proposed the introduction of a joint declaration between the European Commission (EC) and Cariforum.
After months of argument and eleventh-hour confusion, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Europe and Cariforum was signed in Barbados on October 15.
Guyana did not attend but is believed likely to sign in Brussels sometime before October 31, while Haiti has indicated that it will do so as soon as its remaining concerns can be addressed.
A little over a week before the formal ceremony, Guyana had proposed the introduction of a joint declaration between the European Commission (EC) and Cariforum.
19 0ctober 2008 - Rickey Singh
FINALLY, the on-and-off official signing ceremony for a full Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Caribbean and the European Union (EU) is over.
The divisions that surfaced among proponents and antagonists for a delay to make it a more improved partnership will linger.
For now, as Guyana prepares to add its signature this week to those of last Wednesday's 13 at the Sherbourne Conference Centre – with Haiti's to come much later – there is question of immediate relevance. For example, how prepared are the 15 CARIFORUM countries (CARICOM's 14 and the Dominican Republic) for the implementation process of this new historic relationship being forged with Europe?
FINALLY, the on-and-off official signing ceremony for a full Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Caribbean and the European Union (EU) is over.
The divisions that surfaced among proponents and antagonists for a delay to make it a more improved partnership will linger.
For now, as Guyana prepares to add its signature this week to those of last Wednesday's 13 at the Sherbourne Conference Centre – with Haiti's to come much later – there is question of immediate relevance. For example, how prepared are the 15 CARIFORUM countries (CARICOM's 14 and the Dominican Republic) for the implementation process of this new historic relationship being forged with Europe?
19 October 2008 - The Jamaican Observer
Prime Minister Bruce Golding has challenged businesses to view the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the trade agreement for goods and services signed between 13 CARICOM countries and the Dominican Republic with the European Union, as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
Speaking at the annual Bureau of Standards (BSJ)-Scientific Research Council (SRC) Quality and Innovation Awards, held on Thursday night at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, Golding said that decades of protectionism had fostered an industrial climate of lower quality goods against those available on the world market.
"We have to compete with the rest of the world and the implications of that are enormous. It has meant that what we were able to get away with before, in terms of goods and service that don't come up to mark...the challenge that we face is that we have to be as good as the best and better than the rest, and we have to frame our policies and we have to create, incentives, we have to provide an environment that will induce our producers and our suppliers of services," the Prime Minister told his audience one day after the signing of the EPA in Barbados by 13 members, including Jamaica, of the 15-country Cariforum.
The EPA and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) mean that Jamaica is accepting the reality of competing on unequal terms with more developed countries.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding has challenged businesses to view the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the trade agreement for goods and services signed between 13 CARICOM countries and the Dominican Republic with the European Union, as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
Speaking at the annual Bureau of Standards (BSJ)-Scientific Research Council (SRC) Quality and Innovation Awards, held on Thursday night at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, Golding said that decades of protectionism had fostered an industrial climate of lower quality goods against those available on the world market.
"We have to compete with the rest of the world and the implications of that are enormous. It has meant that what we were able to get away with before, in terms of goods and service that don't come up to mark...the challenge that we face is that we have to be as good as the best and better than the rest, and we have to frame our policies and we have to create, incentives, we have to provide an environment that will induce our producers and our suppliers of services," the Prime Minister told his audience one day after the signing of the EPA in Barbados by 13 members, including Jamaica, of the 15-country Cariforum.
The EPA and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) mean that Jamaica is accepting the reality of competing on unequal terms with more developed countries.
15 October 2008 - David Jessop
In times of crisis nations need leadership.
Explaining to ordinary citizens the dangers that the global financial meltdown presents or speaking about why the countries of the Caribbean are signing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe just as global markets are in crisis, mark out leaders with authority.
Despite this, what so far seems to be lost on much of the region’s political class is that when faced with challenging circumstances leaders have a duty to their electorates to rise above rhetoric and political posturing. They alone have to make clear in simple terms what is happening, build confidence and indicate how the decisions they have taken or are about to make, are going to help their nation’s and their peoples future.
In times of crisis nations need leadership.
Explaining to ordinary citizens the dangers that the global financial meltdown presents or speaking about why the countries of the Caribbean are signing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe just as global markets are in crisis, mark out leaders with authority.
Despite this, what so far seems to be lost on much of the region’s political class is that when faced with challenging circumstances leaders have a duty to their electorates to rise above rhetoric and political posturing. They alone have to make clear in simple terms what is happening, build confidence and indicate how the decisions they have taken or are about to make, are going to help their nation’s and their peoples future.
15 October 2008 - Rickey Singh
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Caribbean states that are party to the full Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) have another six days to sign the accord, but 14 of them, including Guyana, are expected to do so today in Barbados along with participating EU member countries.
Guyana, which had originally signalled readiness to sign a "goods only" agreement for compatibility with World Trade Organisation (WTO) requirements pending resolution of outstanding differences with clauses of the EPA in their present form, seemed set as of last evening to join today's signing ceremony at the Shebourne Conference Centre.
Only Haiti will avoid signing without endangering its position since as under the EU's prevailing concession of "everything but arms" (EBA) for UN-designated Least Developed Countries (LDCs), it would have until some time in 2010 to do so.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Caribbean states that are party to the full Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) have another six days to sign the accord, but 14 of them, including Guyana, are expected to do so today in Barbados along with participating EU member countries.
Guyana, which had originally signalled readiness to sign a "goods only" agreement for compatibility with World Trade Organisation (WTO) requirements pending resolution of outstanding differences with clauses of the EPA in their present form, seemed set as of last evening to join today's signing ceremony at the Shebourne Conference Centre.
Only Haiti will avoid signing without endangering its position since as under the EU's prevailing concession of "everything but arms" (EBA) for UN-designated Least Developed Countries (LDCs), it would have until some time in 2010 to do so.
14 October 2008 - Canute James in Kingston
Thirteen Caribbean countries will sign a trade agreement with the European Union on Wednesday despite doubts about whether it will help or harm the region.
The countries – members of the Caribbean Community, a grouping of mainly English speaking nations, and the Dominican Republic – are signing the pact that has been questioned in the region and by other countries in Africa and the Pacific.
It will not be signed by Haiti and Guyana’s president has said he is not comfortable with the terms.
Caribbean officials say the trade agreement is compatible with World Trade Organisation regulations, while previous agreements were not. However, President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana maintains that the trade pact – the Economic Partnership Agreement – will hurt development and undermine future WTO negotiating positions. He also wants it to be revised every five years.
Thirteen Caribbean countries will sign a trade agreement with the European Union on Wednesday despite doubts about whether it will help or harm the region.
The countries – members of the Caribbean Community, a grouping of mainly English speaking nations, and the Dominican Republic – are signing the pact that has been questioned in the region and by other countries in Africa and the Pacific.
It will not be signed by Haiti and Guyana’s president has said he is not comfortable with the terms.
Caribbean officials say the trade agreement is compatible with World Trade Organisation regulations, while previous agreements were not. However, President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana maintains that the trade pact – the Economic Partnership Agreement – will hurt development and undermine future WTO negotiating positions. He also wants it to be revised every five years.
WILL THE
This crucial question has been motivating CARICOM governments that have been actively involved in sensitive negotiations with representatives of the European Commission and the Dominican Republic (which is not a member of CARICOM but will be signatory to the CARIFORUM/EC EPA) in efforts for consensus on a proposed "joint declaration".
14 October 2008 Rickey Singh
Bridgetown, Barbados - A new appeal has come from Sir Shridath Ramphal, the region's first chief negotiator of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM), for a delay in tomorrow's scheduled signing ceremony in Barbados of the full Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU).
RAMPHAL... now is not the time for final vows
Additionally, fresh warnings have been made by a leading Caribbean economist and advisor on international trade against negative implications for this region by the More Favoured Nation (MFN) clause in the controversial EPA.
All indications, however, point to the signing ceremony going ahead tomorrow at the Sherbourne Conference Centre for which ministers of the CARIFORUM group of countries (Caricom plus Dominican Republic) will start arriving today, as well as representatives of the European Commission and EU member states.
Bridgetown, Barbados - A new appeal has come from Sir Shridath Ramphal, the region's first chief negotiator of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM), for a delay in tomorrow's scheduled signing ceremony in Barbados of the full Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU).
RAMPHAL... now is not the time for final vows
Additionally, fresh warnings have been made by a leading Caribbean economist and advisor on international trade against negative implications for this region by the More Favoured Nation (MFN) clause in the controversial EPA.
All indications, however, point to the signing ceremony going ahead tomorrow at the Sherbourne Conference Centre for which ministers of the CARIFORUM group of countries (Caricom plus Dominican Republic) will start arriving today, as well as representatives of the European Commission and EU member states.