Final Evaluation EPA Capacity Building II (2020)

Signed in 2008, the EPA represents more than a traditional trade agreement setting the framework within which the trade of goods and services between the two regions (CARIFORUM and EU) will operate. It promotes the progressive harmonisation of the external tariffs of the CARIFORUM countries building on the liberalisation of the flow of goods between the economies of the Caribbean. This will help local businesses create economies of scale and make the region much more attractive as a market for investment and trade.

Aware of the challenges faced by the Caribbean Region in terms of financial and human resources, the EPA entails a development cooperation declaration in which the EU member states endeavour using its Aid for Trade financial support and the European Development Fund to support Caribbean countries implementing the EPA.

In this context, the EPA Capacity Building II Programme (EPA II) was approved under the 10th EDF NIP for an amount of EUR 5 million, and the Financing Agreement (FA) signed on the 13th of December 2013 for a 67 months operational duration.

The overall objective was to support the Government of Jamaica in addressing the trade deficit, accelerating exports, enhancing competitiveness and integrating the economy into global markets.

The purpose was to improve conditions for better access of Jamaican products to the rest of the world.