EU woos East Africa bloc to sign trade agreement

Tanzania is concerned that signing a bad EPA will compromise the region’s interests in subsequent trade negotiations. FOTOSEARCH

An official from the European Union has asked the East African Community to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement, saying it will not necessarily affect the region’s industrialisation drive.

Commissioner for international co-operation and development Neven Mimica said the EU will continue negotiations so that all member states can endorse the EPA which “will open European markets to East Africans.”