Government urged not to sign EPA deal

The main opposition United National Congress Alliance (UNCA) wants the government to hold further consultations with the various stakeholders before Trinidad and Tobago signs the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).



The Prime Minister Patrick Manning has already signalled that his government is prepared to sign the accord that was initialled last December, at the end of negotiations between the EU and CARIFORUM countries.



According to UNCA legislators, Vasant Bharath and Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, the EPA could negatively affect more than 4,000 locally manufactured goods.



Gopeesingh said he hoped the government would not sign the deal before holding further talks with the stakeholders.



He said the opposition party would present a position paper on the issue within a month.