PNG and Fiji Trade war looming

The Trade, Commerce and Industry Ministry of PNG will be looking at taking serious trade measures against Fiji on its refusal to accept imported products and commodities from PNG into the Fijian Markets.
Minister Richard Maru made this announcement today saying 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.
The Minister also had talks with Agriculture Minister Tommy Tomscoll to ban imported Chicken from Fiji as the first trade measure to be taken once cabinet approves the Ministry’s submission.
Meanwhile Minister Richard Maru said he will not be signing the 3rd Melanesian Free Trade Agreement which will be signed later this year.
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.

PNGFM/ PNG Today