Fiji has not withdrawn from PACER PLUS talks.
Minister for Tourism and Trade Faiyaz Koya has made this clear while speaking at the Fiji NZ and Australia Business Councils Conference.
It’s has been the hot topic ever since last week that Fiji had pulled out of PACER Plus talks.
However, the Trade Minister clarifies his position.
“Fiji’s position on Pacer Plus is clear..it is absurd that a number of local and international news agencies including individuals are bluntly reporting that Fiji has withdrawn from PACER Plus, when the press statement from the Fijian Government clearly stated that Fiji will not endorse the legal text and will only withdraw if Australia and New Zealand do not show flexibility on Fiji and the Pacific Island Countries key concerns.” said Faiyaz Koya.
PACER Plus negotiations is still a possibility.
“Fiji wants further negotiation on the two critical issues of Infant Industry Development and Most Favored Nation that will have an implication on Fiji’s development aspirations. Fiji has always seen PACER Plus from a positive view point as another avenue that could contribute towards reaching our development goals. We cannot allow PACER Plus or any trade agreement to limit our development aspirations by taking away the flexibility to support our new and emerging industries and limiting our aspirations to strengthen South-South trade relations.” He said.
The Fijian government is still in dialogue with Aust and NZ.
“Our policy space, and our sovereignty is critical to us and any concessions made under a trade agreement needs to be carefully assessed and must ultimately contribute to our development plans. He says it is in Fiji’s best interest to ensure PACER Plus is a long lasting agreement which is predictable and on a sustainable basis that leads to export and private sector growth and development amongst PACER Plus parties.” added Koya
The Minister has also stressed that in trade negotiations, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.