Big issues Segment - January 30th, 2012 - Ms. Barbara Williams

Big Issues Interview - January 30th, 2012 with Ms. Alana Benjamin

In order to fulfill the decision by the Conference of the Heads of Government to ensure that the implementation of the EPA at national level, the Cabinet agreed to establish a dedicated Unit for the implementation of the EPA within the Office of the National Authorizing Officer (NAO) within the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Public Administration in October 2008 with financial support secured from the Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust Fund (CARTFund) managed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). 

The overall responsibility of Antigua & Barbuda EPA Implementation Unit is managed and coordinated by the implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA in Antigua & Barbuda.

The main objectives of the Unit are:-

- To coordinate activities designed to fulfill national obligations from the EPA;

- To facilitate the private sector in accessing development assistance to build capacity to take advantage of the increased market access into the EU market as well as compete with the European firms in their own market;

- To heighten awareness amongst key stakeholders of the benefits, opportunities and challenges of the Agreement;

- To monitor and report on accomplishments and implementation gaps to provide meaningful policy guidance on national and regional level, as well as joint institutional bodies under the Agreement;

- To facilitate the building and upgrading of the regulatory framework to support the socio-economic activities and aid implementation of the Agreement.

Antigua Barbuda Epa