Trade Relations between Central and Eastern European and Sub-Saharan African Countries

Abstract

The paper presents the main features of trade relations between Central and East Europe (CEE) and Sun-Saharan Africa (SSA). The main focus is on trade with countries within the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) framework. The timeframe under review is 2003-2013. The first section presents the main features of EU trade relations with African EPA regions, summarizing trade dynamics and commodity structure. Section two analyses trade relations between CEE EU Member States and African EPA countries and regions, discussing the dynamics, commodity structure and direction of trade. Finally some conclusions are drawn on the trends in trade relations with SSA regarding both the EU in general, as well as some specifics in the development of trade flows of CEE countries with a special attention paid on Bulgaria’s participation.