The EPA is a reciprocal trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and ACP Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM, i.e. CARICOM Member States plus the Dominican Republic).
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations between CARIFORUM and the EU were concluded in December 2007. CARICOM Member States, including Jamaica, signed the Agreement on 15th October 2008. TheEPA came into effect, provisionally, on 29th December 2008 with the EU applying duty-free-quota-free market access to all products from CARIFORUM countries, except arms.
Jamaica has been provisionally applying the Agreement since 29th December 2008, pending ratification. Jamaica begun implementing the phased reduction of duties on the importation of goods from the EU, required by the Agreement, as of 1st January 2011.
