Namibian minister of industrialization and trade launched an economic partnership agreement implementation plan at the Southern African Development Community-European Union EPA Trade Forum
The Namibian minister of industrialisation and trade, Lucia Iipumbu, launched an economic partnership agreement (EPA) implementation plan at the Southern African Development Community (SADC)-European Union EPA Trade Forum at the Windhoek Country Club Resort on Monday.
The event was co-hosted by the European Union (EU) delegation in Namibia under the theme ‘Towards Increased and Diversified Trade under the EPA by Ensuring Inclusivity, Sustainability and Economic Growth’.
“The EPA Implementation Plan for Namibia which we are also launching is geared towards attaining the objectives of the SADC – EU EPA and ensuring that the potential benefits that can accrue from it are fully utilised by the intended beneficiaries, which include exporters, importers, consumers, and the entire business fraternity,” she added.
The Minister of Industrialisation and Trade officiated the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Trade Forum and jointly launched the EPA implementation plan in Windhoek.
The EPA provides duty-free, quota-free market access into the EU for exports from partner states like Namibia, subject to rules of origin and adherence to international and regional quality standards.
According to Iipumbu, the Namibian EPA Implementation Plan was developed with the support of financial assistance from the EU.
According to the statement, the Forum will have several interactive engagements and presentations focusing on opportunities for Namibian and EU traders, agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, and trade facilitation and logistics.
The ministry of trade serves as the coordinator for the plan’s initial goal, which is to provide improved coordination and cooperation across institutions and organizations addressing areas related to EPA implementation.
It is also concentrated on establishing and enhancing the performance of important institutions involved in EPA implementation.
Making a case for technical support to strengthen the necessary legal, institutional, and infrastructure frameworks for Namibia’s EPA implementation is the third point of emphasis.
The EPA provides duty-free, quota free market access into the European Union for exports from partner states like Namibia, subject to rules of origin and adherence to international and regional quality standards.
Namibia and five other SADC member States, namely Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique and South Africa signed the EPA in June 2016, which provisionally came into force in October 2016. It was fully implemented after Mozambique submitted its instrument of ratification on January 25, 2018.