A six month legal drafting consultancy is launched

The Office of the National Authorizing Officer, EPA Implementation in collaboration with the Attorney General Chambers, Ministry of Legal Affairs has launched a six months legal drafting consultancy.

 The consultancy has received financial support from the Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust Fund (CARTFund) managed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

 EPA Implementation Coordinator Barbara Williams in making the announcement indicated that the consultancy is being undertaken by John Charles, an experienced legislative drafter.

 Williams says the consultant is reviewing and drafting several pieces of new legislation to include the Standards Act and Regulations, Metro-logy Act and Regulations, CARIRIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation Bill, which will assist Antigua and Barbuda in becoming compliant with its EPA obligations in the areas of services, agriculture and standards.

 She says that during the six months period of the assignment, the consultant will meet with key public and private sector stakeholders, including the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Industry and Commerce and the Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards.

When asked about the progress with the implementation of the EPA, Williams says that Antigua and Barbuda continues to make steady progress in the area of being compliant with its obligations.

 However, more focused attention is required on building the capacity of the private sector to utilize the Agreement for their collective development. As such, the Work Programme for 2014 will be centered on providing assistance to the private sector.