§ 21. Valerie DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress with the trade agreement between the EU and South Africa. [95844]
§ Mr. CabornThe Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and South Africa was signed in Pretoria on 11 October. The key trade provisions of the Agreement will be implemented from 1 January 2000. Reciprocal free trade will be phased in over 12 years. Of the two partners, the EU will open its import market at a generally faster pace in order to give a boost to South Africa's further integration into the global economy. The EU is South276W Africa's major trading partner and this agreement will strengthen that relationship and create new opportunities for British companies to do business with South Africa.