General EPA objectives. The objectives of the Economic Partnership Agreement are:
General EPA objectives. The objectives of the Economic Partnership Agreement are: (a) contributing to the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty through the establishment of a strengthened and strategic trade and development partnership consistent with the objective of sustainable development, the Millennium Development Goals and the Cotonou Agreement; (b) promoting regional integration, economic cooperation and good governance in the ESA region; (c) promoting the gradual integration of the ESA region into the world economy, in conformity with its political choices and development priorities; (d) fostering the structural adjustment of the ESA economies and diversification including value addition; (e) improving the ESA region's capacity in trade policy and trade related issues; (f) establishing and implementing an effective, predictable and transparent regional regulatory framework for trade and investment in the ESA region, thus supporting the conditions for increasing investment and private sector initiative and enhancing supply capacity, competitiveness and economic growth; and (g) strengthening the existing relations between the Parties on the basis of solidarity and mutual interest. To this end, consistent with WTO obligations, the Agreement shall enhance commercial and economic relations, support a new trading dynamic between the Parties by means of the progressive, asymmetrical liberalisation of trade between them and reinforce, broaden and deepen cooperation in all areas relevant to trade and investment.
