A series of training courses funded by the European Union (EU) on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), between the EU and five African countries, namely Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe, was delivered by the CEO of Desiderio Consultants, Mr. Danilo Desiderio, between 14th and 18th March 2022 at the headquarters of the Seychelles Customs Division of the Seychelles Revenue Commission. The EPA is key for Seychelles traders as it allows their products to be imported into the EU Market duty and quota-free, on condition that they originate from Seychelles and meet specific rules of origin.

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It is known that one of the NTBs impeding trade in Africa, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), is the lack of clear and accessible information on formalities related to cross-border trade and facilitation tools that are available. Also in the East African Community (EAC) traders find it difficult to obtain information on the goods and services allowed for trade in each Partner State, as well as on the standards and authorisations required, the taxes and tariffs applied, among others. Traders also do not know where to go to for help in addressing the challenges they face as they trade or where to go to file complaints. In partnership with GIZ, the EAC has developed a simplified information pack that describes in a simple and concise language the existing policies, procedures for importing and exporting in the EAC, with the main formalities that cross border traders have to fulfil.

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