21 October 2021: Joint Communique following the first meeting of the UK-Côte d’Ivoire EPA committee
Updated 3 December 2021
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The first meeting of the UK-Côte d’Ivoire Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) Committee was held on 21 October 2021. The meeting was co-chaired by the United Kingdom and Côte d’Ivoire, and took place via video conference.
The UK and Côte d’Ivoire underlined the importance of the EPA, which secured continuity in a trading relationship worth £501 million [387.7 billion FCFA (XOF)] They further noted their mutual desire to use the EPA to grow bilateral trade.
The parties discussed matters of joint interest under the EPA, including the establishment of the EPA’s governance and institutional arrangements. To this end the EPA Committee agreed to adopt the Rules of Procedures of the EPA Committee and discussed other matters including the agreement’s dispute settlement framework which will ensure the smooth running of the EPA’s core institution and facilitate the implementation of its commercial and developmental objectives.
The parties exchanged views on the United Kingdom’s provision of development co-operation under the EPA. The meeting was also an opportunity for both parties to provide updates on relevant trade policy developments and to reaffirm the importance of timely information exchange, and focusing on promotion of the private sector to facilitate trading among businesses.
The United Kingdom and Côte d’Ivoire co-chairs welcomed the constructive discussions at this first EPA committee meeting and agreed to continue to work towards the effective implementation and operation of the agreement.