DPI advises on EPAs
DPI advises on EPAsWritten by Nchima Nchito Jr
RURAL development dialogue must be done before signing Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), Development Partnership International (DPI) has stated.
In a statement, DPI supported commerce minister Felix Mutati’s decision to dismiss the April, 2009 deadline for signing full EPAs.
“Increased budgetary allocation to rural development can help African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to be in a better position to sign and implement EPAs,” stated Richard Musauka, DPI’s media and strategy coordinator.
Musauka stated that DPI noted the need to develop and improve infrastructure through increased funding. He further stated that the private and public sector needed to partner for ACPs to be ready for EPAs and to make implementation successful.
“Governments in ACP countries should use the macroeconomic environment to build infrastructure and capacity to set the basis for balance and sustainable growth. National budget allocations should improve and continue to put emphasis on the social sector.
More attention is needed to creating value addition to raw materials and direct more attention to domestic private sector investment as a counterpart to foreign direct investment,” Musauka stated.
He also stated that while DPI acknowledged that donor support for African development had been around for a long time, ACP governments needed to work hard to bring development in their countries.
“It must also further be noted that governments and donors come and go and they change their ways and goals quite often. They are a bit unsteady sometimes and this raises a critical need for the people in ACP regions to work hard,” stated Musauka.
posted by MrK @ 5:14 AM
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