An in-depth assessment was on Tuesday given to the new trade agreement that has been diced between African Caribbean Pacific countries and those of the European Union by major stakeholders of the Gambia public and private sectors.

The evaluation process held in the form of a workshop was organised by the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment and attended by stakeholders from the private sector and civil society organisations.

The trade agreements, known as the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), between ACP and EU countries, call for a free-trade area (that is basically tariff free on goods or commodities traded) between the two blocks of countries.

The terms and framework of the EPAs are currently being discussed within member states and negotiated between blocks of the ACP and the EU. 

But the pros and cons of the EPAs have created fear and generated heated debates among different stakeholders and sectors within countries, among member states and between the two blocks concerned, on whether or not member countries must accept and sign the agreements, or compromise, through tactical negotiations.

The evaluation and negotiation process on the EPAs has up to end of 2007 after which regional blocks are expected to sign the EPA on behalf of member countries.

However not all member countries, such as in West Africa, feel favoured or stand to gain under the EPAs. Hence the process of weighing things up for the good of each country.