A visit by the New Zealand Trade Minister to Fiji has been called off.
Todd McClay was due to have bilateral trade discussions with his counterparts in the country.
The Fijian Government had last week announced it’s withdrawal from PACER Plus negotiations after citing inflexibility on part of Australia and New Zealand regarding certain clauses in the trade agreement.
“After seven years of negotiation, final agreement is close however a Fiji Government statement last week has said they have issues with some of the outcomes agreed by all Pacific Island countries at the recent Trade Ministers meeting in Christchurch,” argued Minister McClay.
The Kiwi Minister says more discussions are now needed between officials on the Pacer Plus trade agreement.
“I do not believe Fiji’s statement is a fair reflection of the agreement as it stands. Pacer Plus will be a high quality agreement which provides opportunities for all Pacific nations and one that recognizes the individual developing nature of their economies,” said the Minister