A Voice for EU & SADC Private Sector in EPA negotiation

An independent private sector body called the Business Trade Forum EU Southern Africa (BTFES) has been formed. The BTFES wishes to establish a new kind of dialogue between the business communities and the political leaders in the EU and SADC.

The BTFES met in Gaborone in parallel to the EU SADC Senior Officials Meeting on EPA Negotiations.

The BTFES considers the establishment of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between EU and SADC a key priority and would like to bring the input and expertise of the private sector to help address the challenges confronting these negotiations, future trade relations and the development of business between the two regions. The successful completion of the negotiations is crucial for business. Priority areas for the Forum are: Agricultural Market Access, Industrial Market Access, Trade Facilitation, Services and Sustainable Economic Development and Implementation and Monitoring of the EPA.

The Forum recognises the impact of the EPA on the private sector and seeks to develop an effective working relationship with negotiators from both the EU and SADC in order to expedite the speedy conclusion of the negotiations.

Contact List:

European Union Private Sector:

1. European Business Council for Africa and Mediterranean -EBCAM
2. BUSINESSEUROPE
3. European Services Forum-ESF
4. Private Investors in Africa-PIA
5. Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry-EUROCHAMBRES

Southern Africa Private Sector:

1. Associated SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry-ASCCI
2. SADC Employers Group /Business Unity South Africa-SEG/BUSA
3. Southern Africa Confederation of Agriculture Unions-SACAU

More :

EU-SADC Investment Promotion Programme - ESIPP Private Bag 351#140, Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: +2673180120,
Fax: +2673180131
E-mail: mail@esipp.org