African countries to sign EPA

The Economic Partnership Agreement, EPA, between east African countries and the European Union will be concluded in July of this year.



The EU has been pushing developing nations of the African Caribbean Pacific, ACP, group of countries to sign trade deals.



The deals would make Europe\'s long running preferential arrangements with the ACP states compliant with world trade rules.



Kenya says the EPA that east African countries are due to sign by mid-year is expected to enhance investment.



CARICOM countries and the Dominican Republic were the first to sign an EPA agreement with the European Union last year, after initialing the pact in December of 2007.