• SADC EPA TWG on Services & Investment

    The SADC EPA trade in services agenda involves the participation of the EU on one hand and four Participating SADC EPA States, namely: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland. Angola, Namibia and South Africa participate as observers to these negotiations. The negotiations are premised on the shared objective to enhance and further develop trade in services between the two parties in a manner which supports regional integration and sustainable development of the SADC EPA States and ensures their smooth and gradual integration in the world economy.  In recognition of the imbalances in the levels of development between the two parties, the negotiations are seeking to lay down the necessary arrangements for the progressive, reciprocal and asymmetric liberalization of trade in services.

    The SADC-EU EPA Services negotiations  commenced in May/June 2008 in Brussels, where the EU submitted its Draft Text on Services for consideration by SADC EPA Group. After seeking clarification on the EU Services Text, the Participating SADC EPA States drew up their own Services Draft Text, which was exchanged with the EU in September 2011. A first joint reading of the two texts was undertaken during the Joint Technical Working Group on Services and Investment in November 2011, which revealed a high degree of convergence on most issues, especially on the underlying principle of development.  Work is ongoing to address divergent areas, with a view to draw a joint text which will form the basis for development of a Trade in Services Chapter of the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. It is expected that a parallel process to prepare for scheduling will be commenced soon, ahead of the December 2014 deadline for completion of the services and investment negotiations.

    Reports of Inv. & Services TWG Meetings

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    EPA Texts

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