The Economic Partnership Agreement towards a new era for Caribbean Trade

THE first research published on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on an empirical analysis of the controversial trade agreement that was signed in 2008 has been released. The paper sought to determine the impact the EPA would have on CARIFORUM (CARICOM plus the Dominican Republic) countries, with specific regard to the effect on production patterns and trade balances with Europe, and the fiscal effects that the agreement would have considering that a key part of the agreement is the lowering of taxes and duties on European imports. It also explored the political economy dimensions of the virulent debate that surrounded the signing of the agreement in the latter half of 2008.