What happens to the countries who haven’t signed?

Countries such as Nigeria that have not initialled an EPA are now facing a tax hike on key products this has already begun to bite[1] so they now face even greater pressure to sign a deal.

The exceptions are the Least Developed Countries, who can keep exporting freely to Europe under a different trade agreement called ‘Everything but Arms’.

In addition, countries that are party to different agreements or who haven’t signed any agreement will find it more difficult to trade with their neighbours. More trade will be diverted towards Europe, making signatories even more dependent on producing what Europe wants rather than building up regional production for regional markets. All of this will undermine chances for poor countries to develop in the way that they want, according to their own needs.

[1]http://www.modernghana.com/GhanaHome/NewsArchive/news_details.asp?menu_id=1&id=VFZSVk1VMXFWWGc9 [25/1/08];

also http://allafrica.com/stories/200801090180.html [25/1/08]