Regional Dialogue on the “Seventh EPA”

A regional dimension to trade and development

Kigali, Rwanda, 17-18 June 2008

Agenda

Tuesday 17June
Morning / 09:00 – 10:30: Introductory remarks
  • Ministry of Trade and Industry, Republic of Rwanda
  • Rwanda Private Sector Federation, (RPSF)
  • Director of Trade, East African Community Secretariat
  • International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, (ICTSD)
10:30 – 10:45: Coffee break
10: 45 – 12:30: Session 1: The technical analysis of the EAC-EU EPA market access offer initialled agreement
Moderator:
  • Presentation of EAC-EU EPA, Main outcomes
Resource Person: Mr. Emmanuel Mutahunga, Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, Republic of Uganda
  • An evaluation of the interim EAC-EU EPA, Market access aspects
Resource Person: Dr. Sanoussi Bilal, ECDPM
  • The issue of the Rules of Origin in the Interim EPA Agreements: The Case of Fisheries
Resource Person: Dr. Liam Campling, University of London
Lunch / 12:30 – 14:00
Afternoon / 14:00 – 15:30: Session 2: The Legal Implications of the EAC-EU INTERIM EPA
Moderator: Mr. Edouard Bizimuremyi, The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Rwanda in Geneva
  • Legal status of the Interim EPA (entry into force, notification, WTO compatibility)
Resource Person: Ms. Veniana Qalo, Commonwealth Secretariat,
  • Systemic issues in the interim EPA (MFN Clause, National treatment, Non-execution Clause, etc.)
Resource Person: Mr. Hunter Nottage, Advisory Centre on the WTO Law
  • Can the Interim EPA be renegotiated?
Resource Person: Mr. Peter Elimu Elyetu, Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, Republic of Uganda
15:30 – 15.45: Coffee break
15:45 – 17.30: Session 3: Agriculture
Moderator: Mr. John Bosco Kanyangoga, PSF
  • Market Access and Agricultural Products
Resource Person:
  • Trade Effects of SPS and TBT Measures on Tropical Products: the Kenyan Horticulture Industry
Resource Person: Mr. Stephen Mbithi, Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya
  • Sensitive Products: The Ugandan Case
Resource Person: Dr. Fred Muhumuza, Consultant, Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, Republic of Uganda
Wednesday 18 June
Morning / 09:00 – 10:30: Session 4: Intellectual Property
Moderator: Mr Christophe Bellmann, ICTSD
  • Intellectual Property Provisions in European Union Trade Agreements
Resource Person: Mr. Maximiliano Santa Cruz S., Permanent Mission of Chile to the WTO
  • Stimulating Innovation and Technology Transfer
Resource Person: Mr. Malcolm Spence, Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery
  • Principles and Guidelines for the Provision of Technical Co-operation on Intellectual Property: Elements for Consideration in the EAC-EPA
Resource person:
10:30 – 10:45: Coffee break
10:45 – 12:30: Session 5: Services
Moderator: Mr. Malcolm Spence, Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery
  • An Overview: The Experience on Temporary Movement of Persons in various Regions
Resource Person: Ms. Sophie Nonnenmacher, Migration Policy Specialist, IOM
  • Domestic Regulatory Services Reform Experience of Rwanda
Resource Person: Ms. Clare Akamanzi, Rwanda Investment Promotion Agency
  • Investing in Building Competitiveness Capacities (Supply Side Issues)
Resource Person: Ms. Sheila Sabune, ICTSD
  • Opportunities and Risks of Liberalizing Trade in Services in EAC in the context of EPA
Resource Persons: Dr. Samuel M. Nyantahe, DAIMA Associates Limited
Lunch
Afternoon / 12:30 – 14:00
14:00 – 16:00: Session 6: Investment and Competition in the context of the eac-eu epa
Moderator: Mr. Antoine Ruvebana, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Republic of Rwanda
  • Investment liberalization, Economic Partnership Agreements and Sustainable Development: An Overview
Resource Person: Mr. Morgan Karinge Githinji, ACP Secretariat
  • Rationale for the Inclusion of Investment Provisions in the EAC-EU –EPA and Specific Proposals
Resource Person: Dr. Howard Mann, International Institute for Sustainable Development
16:00 – 17:15: Conclusions and Recommendations
17:15 – 17:30: Concluding Remarks

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