By: Ernest Jumo
Zimbabwe: (News Of The South)-
A ‘new’ relationship between Africa and the United Kingdom (UK) is taking shape as the latter’s Brexit transition period approaches the end December 31 2020.
Brexit happened when the UK left the European Union, January 31 2020. After Brexit, the UK entered a Transition Period where trade, travel and freedom of movement would remain largely unchanged, ending 31 December 2020.
Economists had expressed fear that Brexit could harm the UK economy and made suggestions for comprehensive trade deals to be struck with Africa, before the UK ceased to trade with African countries under the present terms between Africa and the European Union failing which, the UK would revert to trading on World Trade Organisation terms.
The existing agreements, currently in place between the EU and 14 African countries, are known as “Economic Partnership Agreements.”
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are trade and development agreements negotiated between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and regions.
Saturday December 12 the Department For International Trade announced that new trade agreements will come into force in January for the UK with 14 African partners.
Incidentally, the UK had previously announced concluding negotiations for “rolling over” of EPAs with 15 African countries, among them, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya and Uganda.
Other countries mentioned include, Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique and Botswana.
South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswathini also make the list. Although Kenya had already signed an EPA deal with the UK on December 8 2020 it could not immediately be established whether it is the remainder that will enter the January deals.
The UK said 35 African partners will also receive preferential access to the UK through its trade presences scheme. Meanwhile the Department also announced that, it would host a 1 day virtual Africa Investment Conference on January 20, 2021.
Said the statement.
“.. the UK Department for International Trade is proud to organise the Africa Investment Conference, bringing together UK and African businesses to discuss emerging and relevant themes around doing business in Africa, and to connect UK companies to opportunities of today and tomorrow across the continent.”
According to the statement the conference will have a focus around four key sectors of activity, namely, sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, financial & professional services, agriculture and agri-technology.
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