Pacific Islands push for review of trade agreement

Forum Island countries from the Pacific are pushing for a review of a trade agreement, the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA), according to the Forum Secretariat.

The call for the review is to enable more access of products from Pacific Island countries into Australia and New Zealand.

SPARTECA, which has been in effect from the 1980s, is a non-reciprocal trade agreement under which the two developed nations, Australia and New Zealand, offer duty free or concessional access to products originating from Forum Island Countries.

Australia and New Zealand are said to be ready to negotiate improved market access to make the agreement more equitable.

Proposals for Tariff Reductions or Industry Protection

The Fiji Government is currently engaged in negotiations with the European Union for an Economic Partnership Agreement in line with the Pacific Islands Forum mandate.

One of the features of the EPA is Trade in Goods Agreement that relates to access of products traded with the EU.

To assist government in preparing a negotiating offer to the EU, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Investment and Communications is inviting written submissions from government ministries/departments, private sector and civil society on their proposal to identify products to protect or liberalise products under EPA.

Pls contact Ms Mereseini Waibuta at the Ministry of Commerce on e-mail mwaibuta@govnet.gov.fj or call telephone (679) 3305411 for more information and the required outline of submissions.

Submissions close at 3pm, Friday, 29 June 2007.