Javier Niño Perez, Ambassador of the European Union in Haiti, while commending the Haitian Parliament for ratification in late April, of the revision of the Cotonou Agreement, which defines the relationship between the EU and the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific )"This is a key step in consolidating our cooperation ties to transform Haiti into emerging economies by 2030 [...]" recalls also the importance of ratifying the Partnership Agreement (EPAs) signed between Haiti and Europe, December 10, 2009 "[...] in this context, it is for Parliament to ratify also the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) [CARIFORUM-EU] to advance in regional integration and get full access to the European market. The issue of the EPA is to allow Haiti to conquer new markets for the sectors with high added value." A ratification that will still wit as Parliament closes this Monday, May 12, the first regular session of the 49th Legislature, sounding the start of Parliamentary holidays of deputies...

Note that the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) concluded between the Signatory States of Cariforum and the Member States of the European Union has been implemented by all countries in the region with the exception of Haiti.

Recall that the EPAs aim inter alia to develop exchanges and put trade at the service of development helping individuals and businesses by facilitating the export of their goods and services to Europe. In addition, EPA allow them to more easily :

• To buy imported goods cheaper and acquire new technologies ;

• To attract investment, since EPAs contribute to establish simpler and clearer rules to create and develop businesses and perform routine procedures, eg tax and customs ;

• To have access to counseling and other services essential to the operation of businesses ;

• Allow access for ACP products to foreign markets, for example by helping their businesses to meet international quality standards.

The EPA, Haiti-Europe, which includes measures to support its implementation, will be on the agenda of political dialogue between the Haitian government and the European Union in the coming weeks.

HL/ TB/ HaitiLibre