existing imbalances and to foster and encourage the accelerated and sustained development of the Community; AND WHEREAS the Partner States are desirous to deepen and strengthen trade among themselves and are resolved to abolish tariff and non-tariff barriers to create the most favourable environment for the development of regional trade; RECOGNIZING that a customs union would enhance economic growth and the development of the Community; CONSCIOUS of their obligations, as contracting parties to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organisation, 1994 (the WTO Agreement), and to the Convention Establishing a Customs Co-operation Council, 1950 to contribute, in the common interest, to the harmonious development of world trade; CONSCIOUS of their other individual obligations and commitments under other regional economic partnerships; RESOLVING to act in concert for the establishment of a Customs Union; AGREE AS FOLLOWS: PART A INTERPRETATION ARTICLE 1 Interpretation 1. In this Protocol, except where the context otherwise requires: "Acts of the Community" means Acts of the Community enacted in accordance with the Treaty; "anti-dumping measures" means measures taken by the investigating authority of the importing Partner State after conducting an investigation and determining dumping and material injury resulting from the dumping; "common external tariff" means an identical rate of tariff imposed on goods imported from foreign countries; 2