13 June 2023: Joint communique of the first meeting of the UK-Cameroon EPA committee
Published 16 June 2023
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The first meeting of the United Kingdom-Cameroon Economic Partnership Agreement (“EPA”) Committee was held on 13 June 2023. The meeting was co-chaired by Jean Tchoffo and Brendan McMullan on behalf of Cameroon and the United Kingdom (“UK”) respectively. It took place at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London.
The UK and Cameroon commented on the significance of this first Committee meeting as a key moment in their bilateral trade relations.
The Parties discussed the establishment of the EPA’s governance and institutional arrangements. The co-chairs signed the decision adopting the Internal Regulations of the EPA Committee. The co-chairs also signed the decision adopting the Rules of Procedure relating to Arbitration and the Code of Conduct for Arbitrators. Cameroon and the UK subsequently discussed the next steps on deciding the list of arbitrators.
The UK gave an update on its trade policy programme, including the launch of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme in June 2023. Cameroon gave an update on regional trade policy developments and progress in the implementation of the EU-Cameroon EPA.
The UK provided details on trade-related development cooperation being undertaken to support the effective implementation of the EPA and enhance trade and economic development in Cameroon. This included the UK Trade Partnership Programme, UK Export Finance, and research that had been undertaken to identity the opportunities and challenges in boosting trade between the UK and Cameroon. The Parties discussed issues faced by traders in trading under the EPA. Both Parties agreed to consider how they can work together to address the issues faced by traders as a next step.
Cameroon raised challenges being experienced in relation to the issuance of visas for officials, businessmen and traders. Acknowledging visas as an issue beyond the scope of this Committee, the UK undertook to raise the matter with the relevant parts of the UK government.
The parties discussed taking forward agriculture, fisheries and livestock issues and the UK presented to Cameroon on navigating the UK’s sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
The Parties discussed future priorities such as replacing the interim Rules of Origin protocol and opportunities for future provisions to support trade in services.
The UK and Cameroon co-chairs welcomed the constructive discussions at this first meeting of the EPA Committee and looked forward to continuing to work closely together.
The Parties agreed to hold the next EPA Committee in Cameroon in 2024.