Fiji denies imposing ban on PNG Imports

Fiji Foreign Minister Koya/Photo: FBC News

There is no ban on PNG imports into Fiji. Fiji's Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya made the clarification following threats by PNG’s Trade Minister Richard Maru that they would ban Fijian products from their market because of unfair trade deals. Koya says this statement by Maru needed to be clarified. 

“Fiji has not actually placed any bans on imports of food items from PNG. There are no unnecessary restrictions that have been placed on PNG’s imports and obviously this is a matter that could have been resolved much sooner.The pathway issue at the moment sits with their competent authority and not with bio-security. Our bio-security has done what it had to do.” 

Last week Maru lashed out at Fiji for not opening up its trade markets to a number of PNG food imports, saying Fiji had 14 days to respond or face bans on Fijian products. According to Koya the proper thing to do is to talk about the issue in the true spirit of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, and he has written to Maru seeking bilateral discussions. 

“We consider PNG to be a crucial trading partner and we will treat them like a crucial trading partner like we always have. We’re not here to have a trade war. Sometimes these things do crop up but it’s the normal course of business and at the end of the day they have to protect their borders and so do we.” 

Koya says they have not received any official communication from Maru regarding the 14 day deadline. 

PNG's stand 

PNG's Trade Minister Richard Maru  has said  it’s been 10 years since PNG had been trying to have an open market trade with Fiji and the continuous refusal from the Fijian Government, it is far too much to take and it is very unfair in Trade when PNG is accepting Fijian Products into the country.

Mr Maru said his office will sought legal advice in filing a submission on the Trade Measures to be taken and submit to cabinet for approval to stop products from Fiji coming into PNG Markets.

Mr Maru says until Fiji come to terms for an Open Trade with PNG then he will sign the 3rd Agreement.

“Fiji has to come clear with us on why they cannot allow for Free Trade as per the Agreement with PNG for our products and commodities to be sold or traded in Fijian Markets before I will sign that Agreement”, he said.

Mr Maru said he has wrote a letter to the Fijian Trade Ministry for a meeting with him regarding the subject matter which he did received acknowledgement of the letter from the Ministry but was not able to meet with the Fijian Minister as the Minister was not available due to reasons unknown.

“It is the matter of Open Market Principals that MSG Countries should follow or comply to in investments and business trades with each other that we are talking about which Fiji failed to comply in the last 10 years and PNG cannot tolerate this anymore,” Minister Maru said.

 FBC/PNG Today