The Economic Partnership Agreement and Beyond: The Case for Innovation and Industrial Policy.

The formation of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) honours the commitment made by all African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) nations via Article 36 of the Cotonou Agreement to conclude an agreement that is compatible with the rules and law of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It is a comprehensive agreement that covers not just goods but services, investment, and trade related issues such as innovation and intellectual property. This article posits that now that negotiations have ceased and an agreement has been signed, it is necessary to focus attention on effective implementation of the agreement. Further, this paper suggests that the development of innovation and industrial policies is a salient part of the implementation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]