After a meeting of Cariforum ministers with Greg Hands, UK minister of state for trade policy, on 16 November 2017, the British Government agreed that the present terms of the Cariforum-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) will govern its trade relationship with the Dominican Republic and the rest of the Caribbean region after it leave the European Union, as reported by the Jamaica Gleaner.
“Acknowledging that the UK is not legally permitted to enter into trade negotiations with any third parties before its departure from the EU, rolling over existing arrangements under the EPA is a positive step providing certainty to our private sector,” stated Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kamina Johnson Smith after signing the joint statement. Johnson has assumed the role of lead spokesperson for Cariforum.
“Cariforum will also continue to work on expanding trade with our valued EU partners,” stated Johnson Smith following the signing of the joint statement.
The EPA has been in effect since 2008 with the EU applying duty-free-quota-free market access to all products from Cariforum countries, except arms.
The Dominican Republic is a member of Cariforum.
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Jamaica Gleaner
20 November 2017
