Objectives
Article 1
The objectives of this Agreement are to: (a) contribute to the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty through the establishment of a trade partnership consistent with the objective of sustainable development, the Millennium Development Goals and the Cotonou Agreement; (b) promote regional integration, economic cooperation and good governance thus establishing and implementing an effective, predictable and transparent regional regulatory framework for trade and investment between the Parties and among the SADC EPA States; (c) promote the gradual integration of the SADC EPA States into the world economy, in conformity with their political choices and development priorities; (d) improve the SADC EPA States’ capacity in trade policy and trade related issues; (e) support the conditions for increasing investment and private sector initiative, and enhance supply capacity, competitiveness and economic growth in the SADC EPA States; (f) strengthen the existing relations between the Parties on the basis of solidarity and mutual interest. To this end, consistent with WTO obligations, the Agreement shall enhance commercial and economic relations, consolidate the implementation of the SADC Protocol on Trade and support a new trading dynamic between the Parties by means of the progressive, asymmetrical liberalisation of trade between them and reinforce, broaden and deepen cooperation in all areas relevant to trade.