Page 22 - IB FEB 2019

Trade

Advancing regional being implemented by less than half of the FICs. Negotiations on
its supplementary agreements in Services and Investment are still
a work in progress; and this has been ongoing since 2001 when
integration PICTA was first signed and 2004 when FICs Leaders endorsed
extension of the PICTA to include Services and Investment.
Such lethargy needs addressing. Clearly, a boost of collective
adrenalin from the Blue Pacific narrative is needed here to re-
inforce and rejuvenate the ‘collective will’ and ‘collective action’
in order to ‘recapture the collective potential’ of the economic
integration we all aspire to achieve under Pacific regionalism.
PACeR Plus, on the other hand, has proved divisive already.
Fiji and Papua New Guinea have pulled out of the agreement.
Others may do so in due course. This, clearly, is a blight against
the Blue Pacific’s ‘one ocean continent’ approach. Further, it is a
By Ambassador Kaliopate Tavola blight against ‘collective action’. This is a recipe for reduction in
the collective benefit to all.
WRITING about the future of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in What is the Forum going to do to bring about the unity it des-
this magazine last month, I concluded: “economic union will come perately promotes? What specific actions will it take to enable the
in due course when we deepen regional integration, specifically Blue Pacific narrative to boost and drive the unity it needs given
regional economic integration,” and added that “some structures the divide that has already emerged?
that will bring this about have been created through our efforts What are Australia and New Zealand— the Forum’s developed
at regional cooperation via the establishments of committees.” I countries and OeCD members, going to do in the same spirit of
then named the various committees and the private sector body unity? Will they, in the spirit of give and take, and teamwork,
involved. return to the trade negotiations to inject much-needed pragmatic
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor, concessions and/or an array of special and differential treatments
enlightened us on how to progress with regional integration when that may have been sidelined previously?
she spoke as an Observer at the Asia-Pacific economic Coopera- Implementation of these agreements will require all FICs to
tion (APeC) meeting in Port Moresby on 15 November 2018. She readily abolish trade barriers, and other barriers relating to
said: “In the Pacific we take a more expansive view of regional movements of capital and personnel that exist amongst us. We
integration that extends beyond simple economic or market inte- may be further persuaded to consider establishing relevant in-
gration……. Indeed, our approach to integration is unique – the stitutions from pooling of our resources aimed at regionalising
catalyst being Forum Leaders endorsement in 2017 of the Blue specific activities for economic integration. This is the regional
Pacific narrative as the core driver of collective regional action integration we all seek.
in the Pacific. Grounded in the strength of our collective will, the It will require also, at the national levels, the enabling environ-
Blue Pacific narrative emphasises action as one ocean continent, ment re-enforced with concomitant laws and regulations aimed at
based on our shared ocean identity, geography and resources.” achieving sustainability of procedures and benefits under these
The above statement is loaded and somewhat pedantic. This ar- agreements. Such regulatory and legal requirements are provided
ticle unpacks the various issues and forges a way forward on how for under the Framework for Pacific Regionalism.
we can effectively implement and achieve our own resolutions. The sustainability being sought is the essence of the Blue Pa-
The economic union I wrote about is still very much in the cific narrative. Further, it is the essence of green policies that is
mix, judging from Dame Meg’s statement. economic union fundamental in any land-based development. I tweeted recently:
comprises a common market. The Forum’s regional integration “Lest we forget, protecting our Blue Pacific, our Livelihood and
proceeds beyond market integration, the Secretary General said. our Home obliges us to guarantee green policy on land in every
I did however write that such market integration is yet to be fully sector of life. Any shade of colour other than green will eventu-
formed in the region. ally tarnish the land that feeds us and will muddy the blueness
Moving forward from here does not necessarily mean that of our ocean.”
we ignore the deficiencies of the past. PIF needs to re-visit its Such pragmatism will bring immediate benefits through utilis-
market integration agenda and implement relevant reparations ing the various trade preferences built into these agreements; and
to strengthen its integration bases before it builds further on it. economic development consistent with regional aspirations—our
What is needed is that all planned reparatory and foundational collective will—are likely to be facilitated. This will advance the
structural work directed at future regional integration is carried Leaders’ vision of a region of social inclusion and prosperity. It
out on the basis of its Blue Pacific narrative. will underline Blue Pacific’s ‘collective regional action’, grounded
As far as PIF’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are concerned in our ‘collective will.’
– the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) for the Furthermore, a Common external Tariff (CeT), envisaged by
Forum Island Countries (FICs) and the Pacific Agreement on our early Leaders, resonates unity amongst PIF members and un-
Closer economic Relations (PACeR) Plus for all members includ- derscores our efforts at creating a ‘one ocean continent’, based on
ing Australia and New Zealand, the Blue Pacific narrative requires our ‘shared ocean identity’ and ‘geography.’ There are options in
our ‘collective action’; and this should be directed at addressing its application. If configured under PICTA, for example, then FICs
the still outstanding ratification and implementation of these need to consider Australia and New Zealand’s special positions
agreements. essentially, this is action taken together by members as major trading partners whose preferential treatment is ensured
to enable them to implement the agreements and trade freely under PACeR Plus. If CeT is configured under PACeR Plus, then
amongst themselves, and more; enabling an individual member caution is called for. The issue can be somewhat complex given
and the group to benefit from regional economic integration. Australia and New Zealand’s numerous FTAs with other regions
In terms of PICTA - its Trading in Goods agreement is currently and major global trading partners.

22 Islands Business, February 2019