ECDPM ACP-EU trade, by euforic

ECDPM Weekly Compass -- Issue 111 -- 25 May 2012

cotonou_online — Tue, 29 May 2012 11:31:53 +0000

* European Report on Development 2012 out: 'Business as usual no longer an option' * Changes in the EU’s 'Agenda for Change'? * Post-2015: Monitoring financing for development and 'development friendliness' * EU-Africa trade agreement live, threat to end market access still looms * Aid for Trade and innovative financing * African Union response to Arab Spring an exception?

China Africa Development Fund Not Attractive Enough in China. China in Africa, The Real Story. 24 May 2012.

cotonou_online — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:20:24 +0000

China Africa Development Fund, the equity investment arm established by China Development Bank and launched at the 2006 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, has failed in its effort to raise $2 billion on the capital markets. Instead, says a story published by China's vigorous economics newspaper Caixin, the state will arrange a second injection of foreign exchange: "The fund’s parent, China Development Bank (CDB), arranged the US$ 2 billion worth of eight- to 10-year loans at bargain interest rates after CADF’s cash injection plan, some two years in the making, won State Council approval in March."

Trade Policy Options for Enhancing Food Aid Effectiveness. ICTSD. 24 May 2012.

cotonou_online — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:10:19 +0000

This paper looks at how food aid could be made more effective, in the light of recent food price trends, and examines how different approaches could affect trade and development. The author argues in favour of establishing international rules that will provide a meaningful framework for ‘bona fide’ food aid.

First EU EPA with an African Region Takes Effect. ICTSD. 23 May 2012.

cotonou_online — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:08:37 +0000

East African Legislative Assembly Passes Another Resolution on Economic Partnership Agreements. 23 May 2012.

cotonou_online — Fri, 25 May 2012 08:57:28 +0000

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, May 23, 2012: The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has today passed a Resolution urging the EAC Council of Ministers to engage the European Union (EU) to address pertinent concerns and contentious issues raised by the Assembly, prior to the conclusion of the talks. According to the Resolution, EAC suffers from chronic supply-side constraints and challenges and if implemented, the economic bloc stands to lose tariff revenue amounting to approximately USD 301 million yearly. Kenya alone, shall lose tariff revenue amounting to USD 193.8 Million a year. At the same time, the Assembly is calling for a status report by the Secretary General every four months until the deliberations of the EPA talks are concluded and signed.

How tax can reduce inequality. OECD Observer. Maya 2012.

cotonou_online — Fri, 25 May 2012 08:54:54 +0000

A rising tide may not now lift all boats, to misquote US President Kennedy’s original analogy made in 1963 linking economic growth to prosperity for all. Can governments maintain the social cohesion needed for sustainable, long-term growth? Supporting an equitable income distribution remains one of the key goals of fiscal (and tax) policy.

Caribbean Development Bank to manage EU funds for Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation. The Caribbean Development Bank. 21 May 2012.

cotonou_online — Fri, 25 May 2012 08:37:40 +0000

CARICOM member states which comprise the borrowing member countries of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Dominican Republic and Suriname will be the beneficiaries of funding from the European Union (EU). CDB’s Board of Directors has approved the Management of the Bank entering into a contribution agreement with the European Union (EU) for a €3.5 million Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Standby Facility. The implementation period of the Facility will be thirty-six months. However, the two parties may agree to an extension. These funds are to be used by the beneficiary countries for national EPA implementation units; for administrative, technical and other support for national focal points and for technical assistance assignments to advise on or to assist in taking advantage of opportunities under EPA.

Opening Pandora's Box. The New Wave of Land Grabbing by the Extractive Industries and the Devastating Impact on Earth. Gaia Foundation. February 2012.

cotonou_online — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:28:16 +0000

African Capacity Building Foundation Private Sector Consultation Forum. The role of the private sector in regional integration in Africa. Zanzibar. 25 May 2012. Postponed.

cotonou_online — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:24:40 +0000

Pacific region urges EC engagement for EPA progress. Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. 13 May 2012.

cotonou_online — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:22:08 +0000

The Pacific bloc of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping has urged the European Commission (EC) to officially respond to its proposals on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU). “The Pacific region remains committed to concluding negotiations for a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union by 2012, as directed by our Leaders last year,” said Tonga’s Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries and the Pacific ACP Lead Spokesperson, Hon. ‘Isileli Pulu.