Tanzania may never sign Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) deal so as to protect Chinese-brokered industrialisation plan and safeguard its national budget. Sources privy to the issue within the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment confided to The EastAfrican that Dar es Salaam has declined to sign the deal that would turn the country into a source of raw material for European Industries. On different occasions, Tanzanian officials have said that Dar es Salaam is reconsidering an earlier decision to make sure that it is done to the best interest of the country. Susan Kolimba, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Co-operation, said Tanzania is only cautious on signing the EPAs and it has gone back to government discussions before it is deliberated. “At this stage we cannot say we are will sign or not but we must make sure that we sign or decline to the best interests of our people…we are still discussing to the Government level,” she said. Clarifying on contentious issues, Minister for Trade, Industries and Investment Charles Mwijage Tanzania concerned is that the EPAs proposed zero rate for all imported goods will put Tanzania on a losing end. “Under the Common External Tariff of the EAC when you raw material you charge zero percent levy, while intermediate products attract 10percent and finished products are charge 25 per cent while under…all these will not be there under the EPAs; we have to discuss this and see how we can lose under these agreements,”...
Dar dodges EPA to protect industrialisation, budget
Posted on: July 18, 2016
Posted on: July 18, 2016