The Echoes from AEFJN No. 30 - July August 2016 are now available online. 
Working Group on Trade News - July 2013
- Freeing trade between South Africa and Nigeria
If a Free Trade Area were to be negotiated between Africa’s two largest economies, South Africa and Nigeria, it would have a powerful effect on trade across the sub-continent and would challenge other countries to respond. However, there are concerns that an FTA would give one-sided benefits to the South Africans, who have a developed manufacturing sector, at the expense of the less-industrialized Nigeria. But in practice the benefits may be limited. Many South African companies operate in Nigeria through non-South Africa entities, so it is not clear if they could be considered as beneficiaries of such an FTA.
2. Rethink New Trade Pact with Europe
Economic Partnership Agreement will give EU undue advantage over Kenya and other EAC states. Members of the National Assembly demand rethink new trade pact with Europe and opposed a push to have Kenya sign a trade treaty with Europe until outstanding issues had been resolved. Signing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in its current form will give the European Union (EU) undue advantage over Kenya and East African Community (EAC) states. Europe has a highly advanced manufacturing sector and also subsidises its agricultural sector heavily. There have been fears that opening up the East African market to Europe could flood the region with cheap European exports, thereby undermining local industries.
3. Launch of the Alternative Trade Campaign Towards the EP Elections
The Alternative Trade Mandate (ATM) is a network, which have the objective of changing European trade policy so that it works for people and the planet instead of serving the interests of major export-oriented corporations. The ATM is an alliance of 50 organizations, developing an alternative vision of European trade policy and is preparing launch a campaign for the next European Parliament Election. ATM proposes a trade policy that increases economic, social and environmental well-being globally and creates justice between countries, social classes and ethnicities.