Minister Bob Sichinga gives out cash to AMICO employee Brian Ndalama
as Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya looks on
ZAMBIA and other African countries have been given up to October 20, 2014 to sign the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) or fall into the Everything-but-Arms category.
Zambia and some other African countries are, however, finding it difficult to sign the EPAs because they are seeking to first industrialise their economies.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Robert Sichinga said in Lusaka that the European Union (EU) had given Zambia and the East and Southern Africa (ESA) countries an ultimatum to sign the EPAs or only be eligible to trade on the basis of Everything-but-Arms initiative.
Everything-but-Arms is an initiative of the EU under which all imports to the EU from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are duty-free with exception of armaments.
While the EPAs offers Africa countries 100 per cent access in the European market the initiative offers only 75 per cent access in the Africa market which includes free quota and tariff.
Although the Everything but Arms programme provides for duty free imports from LDCs the Rules of Origin, especially pertaining to apparel, severely inhibit imports because some phases of production occur outside the LDCs.
The negotiation of the EPAs started in 2000 to, among others, liberalise trade between European Union countries and the Economic Community of West Africa States.
“We have been given a deadline of October 20, 2014 of which to sign the EPA with them saying if you don’t sign you will simply be eligible to trade with us in Europe on the basis of Everything but Arms.
“And therefore making it difficult for African countries that are seeking to industrialise because whatever you sign with EU you must also remember that there is AGOA agreement in place with the United States and other agreements within the region,” he said before adding that:
“If we are going to industrialise there is no way we are going to be sending raw materials to other countries otherwise they will be no industrialisation.”
As African Commerce ministers, he said they would not sign the agreement until they recognise the need for Africa to build their capacities to be able to industrialise.
“We cannot have fair trade if we continue to have imbalances in our capacity to be able to trade with others. The question is what is Zambia providing to the rest of Africa and the world!” Mr Sichinga wondered.
Stand your ground! It’s time for industrialisation and we have all the raw materials. Invite the Iranians to build us a nuclear plant for the sole purpose of generating power not enrichment of uranium for nuclear warheads. We have it all! Let the Indians and Koreans come in and start building low cost vehicles, pharmaceuticals and textile. Let the Chinese come in and turn the barotse floodplains into rice growing fields, let the Congolese come in and let them strut their thing in Livinstone which we’ll turn into the Las Vegas of Africa. Zambia’s landscape should change and so should the people’s empowerment through paid work be a sign of the country turning the corner. We need partners who will make Zambia the centre of their operations not a dumping ground!!!!!
Great idea. Let Iranians build Nuclear plant in Zambia. One question, is the ZESCO capable to operate such plant?
Please, next time think before you post mega- 5tupid comment.
you fool think Zambian innovation why do most Africans want others to do things for them. ati boi buy me a beer etc but you all work, help me find a job, ati bwanji magelo, can you drive me to… people do your own stuff and others will join you
Good position to take. Stand your ground.
Please Zambia(Africa) refuse to sign this one sided trade agreement. How can we have an equal trade agreement with Europe when our African industries are not even at a semi industrialized level. Refuse the same old colonial rehtoric of we ‘ know better than Africa’
Hon. Sichinga, when the Government will decide to implement RKC and thus allow creation of the industries capable of exporting finished goods?
On the other hand, do you realize that by refusing to sign EPA with EU, you are imposing 25% tariff on the development of the industry and limiting not just PAYE but also other indirect taxation.
Well Spoken. Only Thick heads don’t understand the implications of not signing! I doubt whehter Sichinga even knows what EPA agreements are. I thought he was in brussels confronting the EU, but he was only barking from a distance.
Study all the clauses in the agreement before signing. Whenever someone is rushing you into signing a document it is never in your favour.
Sichinga, it is time for you to PULL UP YOUR SOCKS!
Why are you making STUPlD statements about things that you are clueless about? You have FAILED in two Ministries already, you cannot even get to work on time to answer Parliamentary Questions, now you are shouting about something that for sure you have not even studied!
Looks like you are No 1 on the list of USELESS PF Ministers!
Please read and scrutinize every line before appending your signature on that agreement. One thing you should know is that the EU wants market of its products which are produced using Africa’s raw material. It does not make sense really, buying your own product at a higher price??? Please sign that agreement when it is a win-win situation.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
APA PEVE’ I AGREE WITH SICHINGA, & P.F. TRADE POLICY.
Its high time African’s signed for, & agreed with something / Trade agreements as long as Africans have advantage & benefit.
Gone are the days, when we should be exploited similar to the days of Slavery, where the African gave 50 able bodied Africans – (Slaves), for a Bottle of Rum, & a piece of Calico – (Cheap Cloth).
America is a “Great Nation”, coz they are very clear on this – “We have No Friends, just Interests”, always ensuring America gets the upper hand in any Deal / Agreement.
Why should Africans Not expect the same??? After all probably 90% of Raw materials that make western nations wealthy & powerful come from under the feet of Poor helpless begging Africans??