22 Jul 2013

As negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between European Union (EU) and SADC draw closer to conclusion, it is essential for the EU trade commissioner, Mr Karel De Gucht to understand the sensitivity of beef in relation to the economy of Botswana.

Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Dorcas Makgato Malesu said on July 19 that it was important to highlight Botswana's position on beef. She said the country was 'very' aggressive and protective on beef.

She said in an interview after a closed meeting session with EU trade commissioner ,Mr De Gucht who was on a two day visit to Botswana. She noted that it was important for him to understand that 80 per cent of the population in Botswana would invariably be affected by whether beef had got access in to EU market or not.

She said Botswana was engaging the commissioner at a that level to understand the dynamics of the economy of Botswana by putting the country position before the region could table its decision, so that he could understand how decisions that will arise out of the regional grouping will have a direct impact on the economy of Botswana.

The Minister further explained that the meeting with EU Commissioner was more about an update of the status of negotiation, discussing the bottlenecks to negotiations, sharing challenges, finding ways of facilitating the fast-tracking so that negotiations could be concluded on time.

The meeting, she said  is critical as there is a looming deadline of the withdrawal of the market access agreement that Botswana has been benefiting quota free out of EU and is due to be withdrawn sometimes next year if negotiations are not concluded as intended by end of 2013.

Ms Malesu said she was happy as the meeting was beneficial stating that the Commissioner got sufficient context on Botswana's position.
During a briefing with the media, Mr De Gucht said EU is committed to bring the negotiations on EPA to conclusion in 2013 and would ensure that Botswana continue to enjoy free access to the EU market.

He said they, as EU understand that there were a number of concerns about the trade deal in Botswana and EU and was showing a lot of flexibility towards Botswana's interests.

He observed that Botswana hold the chairmanship of SADC EPA group, and therefore play an important role in the negotiations. He was hopeful that together they could conclude negotiations as soon as possible.ENDS