EPA to reduce migration, enhance development – EU
NAN-H-84
Development
By Temitope Ponle
Abuja, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) The European Union (EU) has said that the coming into force of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and West Africa would enhance economic development and reduce migration.
Counsellor and Head of Trade and Economics Section of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Filippo Amato told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
Amato said that coming into force of the EPA would strengthen economic development to meet the needs of the increasing population in the sub-region.
The counsellor recalled that 22,500 illegal migrants from Nigeria crossed Mediterranean Sea to Europe between January and September as against 23,000 in 2015.
He said strengthening the economy would promote development and reduce the increasing number of illegal migrants from the sub region, mostly from Nigeria to Europe.
“Our interest is to make the economy and development in West Africa stronger as soon as possible to meet the demands of the increasing population and to reduce the influx of migrants.
“If we do not help to develop economies, it will be a humanitarian catastrophe. The main purpose of the agreement is focused on sustainable development for West Africa.
“Trade is an important engine for growth and agreements allow you to have access to other markets.
“So in a global world, you need to have trade agreements to be able to improve your capacity to be present in the global market place,” he said.
He reiterated that the agreement had clauses that protected the local market; adding that it could be reviewed every five years to address concerns raised by parties involved.
Amato also said that the development projects of the EU would continue to support the process of improving the standards of goods from the sub-region to meet up with international standards.
“The whole idea is that this agreement is going to be of more advantage to West Africa because we are removing all export duties to Europe; we are not going to diminish these duties in the future.
“We are removing import duties only on capital goods and machinery needed by local industries; your local industry has more potential and it needs protection.
“There are benefits also for Europe particularly those producing sophisticated goods like machinery and certain capital goods that are imports needed by your industry,” he said.
The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government endorsed the EPA in 2014 and opened it up for signing by member states.
Currently, all the 28 EU member states and 13 ECOWAS member states have signed the agreement.
Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire have ratified the agreement while Nigeria, The Gambia and Mauritania are yet to sign. (NAN)
TOP/AK/AFA
Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Felix Ajide
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