ECOWAS Engages Journalists On Economic Partnership Agreement

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has engaged Journalists across the West African Sub-region in a two day consultative meeting and workshop on Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) geared towards enhancing a Common External Tariff within member states.

The opening session of the EPA workshop commenced on 20th of September 2016 at the ECOWAS Commission’s headquarter in Abuja, Nigeria and was attended by 30 Journalists from the 15 member states including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Richard Young in his welcome address stated that Economic Partnership Agreement is being sponsored by the EU with an estimated budget of € 6.5 billion allocated for the first pilot phase of five years.

He said the European Union is working in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission to help foster effective trade activities within the region noting that despite the fact that several economies are going through difficult times it is important for the establishment of economic ties that will bring development to the West African region. “No country can become competitive by self-sufficiency” stating countries needs to establish partnerships that can help boost their economic status and promote development.

Young furthered that the EU acknowledge the fact that ECOWAS member states recognized the importance of signing the EPA treaty that shows their commitment adding that Africa represent 2% of the world’s market and based on this background urged African leaders to do better.
He called on Journalists to be the focal point in disseminating information about the EPA, its benefits and also the challenges faced in the implementation process.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Trade, Customs and Free Movement, Laouali Chaibou explained that the significance of the workshop is to use the media to enlighten its citizens about the new development of EPA.