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example, the 1984 Leaders’ Communique reported that whilst under the ACP-EU agreement at the time. The consequent delay
total trade had increased during its three years of operation, the constrained the development of trade facilitation essential for
exports from some smaller island countries (SIS) had decreased. regional economic integration.
It was apparent that the principal requirements of the SIS – those The Trade in Goods agreement under PICTA came into force
directed at alleviating supply constraints, could not be met by in 2006. The negotiations for PICTA’s Trade in Services were
SPARTECA. For Fiji’s garment industry, however, SPARTECA was launched in 2004 and work on this, including that on Temporary
critical for its growth especially when its ROO was subsequently Movement of Natural Persons, is still underway. Not all 14 FICs
amended to address specific industry needs. have ratified the agreement. At the last count, only six countries
Fiji had noted specifically the problems of the SIS and was have indicated readiness to implement it.
motivated in 1993 to propose its own non-reciprocal trading Clearly, PICTA’s impact on regional economic integration
arrangement. The offer, however, was not considered by Forum amongst the FICs is essentially rudimentary.
members. As far as PACER Plus is concerned, this is still undergoing the
The Pacific Regional Trade Agreement (PARTA) then entered signature and ratification process. In the meantime, Fiji and Papua
the scene. This was intended to be an intra-regional Free Trade New Guinea have withdrawn from the agreement in its current
Agreement (FTA). However, it never saw the light of day. After form. At the same time, the Pacific Network on Globalization
realising how costly PARTA was going to be in terms of their com- (PANG) has released its analysis of the agreement that underlines
mitments relative to those of ANZ, the FICs flatly refused to sign. its alleged weaknesses. The absence of the two large FIC traders
In its place, Pacific Area Closer Economic Relations (PACER) and and economies from the agreement and the constraints imposed
Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) were quickly by the application of the alleged weaknesses identified by PANG,
put together. The former is an economic framework agreement should they come into play, could undermine the Forum’s efforts
between the FICs and ANZ, whilst the latter is an Intra-FIC FTA at achieving an economic union.
only. Both were signed in 2001. Economic union will come in due course when we deepen
PACER, which came into force in 2003, gave rise to PACER regional integration, specifically regional economic integration.
Plus – an intra-regional FTA, including ANZ. But it also provides Some structures that will bring this about have been created
for trade facilitation for the FICs under its Article 9 and Annex through our efforts at regional cooperation via the establishments
1. Article 9(4), for example, directs the two parties to the mode of committees of trade officials, trade, economic and financial
of financing required for the trade facilitation programme to be ministers; and of the private sector through the Pacific Islands
formulated. This proved problematic. Whilst FICs wanted ANZ Private Sector Organisation.
to provide the lion’s share of funding, given their understand-
ing of the provisions of Article 9(4), ANZ however also sought • The author is a former Fijian ambassador and Foreign Minister and
contributions from the European Development Fund (EDF) runs his own consultancy company in Suva, Fiji.

TRADE MARK CAUTIONARY NOTICE IN MICRONESIA TRADE MARK CAUTIONARY NOTICE IN NAURU
RADIO MARIA APS was formerly known as Associazione Radio Heinz Italia S.P.A., of Via Migliara, 45 Latina 04100, Italy, does hereby
Maria, an Italian unincorporated association, of Via Milano 12, provide notice that it claims proprietorship of the trade mark
22036 Erba CO, Italy, does hereby provide notice that it claims
proprietorship of the trade mark: COMPLAN

RADIO MARIA in relation to:

In relation to: Foods and beverages for infants; foods and beverages for invalids
Telecommunications including radio broadcasting and (adapted for medical purposes); dietetic foods and beverages (adapted
similar services for medical purposes); medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations;
powders, essences, concentrates and other preparations for making
RADIO MARIA APS cautions that any use of the trade mark: medicated and/or herbal beverages; Milk based beverages, milk
products, dried milk, edible oils and fats; Preparations made from
RADIO MARIA cereals, chocolate beverages with milk, cocoa beverages with milk,
biscuits, cakes, pastry, confectionery; Non-alcoholic drinks in powder
or any confusingly similar trade mark in relation to any of these form, ready to drink beverages (non-alcoholic beverages), nutritional
services or similar services, would be seen as infringement of drinks (not for medical purposes).
their rights and that they will take such action deemed necessary
to protect those rights. HEINZ ITALIA S.P.A. cautions that any use of the trade mark or any
confusingly similar trade mark in relation to any of goods or similar
RADIO MARIA APS can be contacted care of their address for goods, would be seen as infringement of their rights and that they will
service: take such action deemed necessary to protect those rights.

MUNRO LEYS HEINZ ITALIA S.P.A. can be contacted care of their address for service:
Lawyers & Notaries Public
Pacific House, Butt Street, PO Box 149, Suva, Fiji AJ Park, Level 22, Aon Centre, 1 Willis Street, Wellington 6011, New
Email: trademarks@munroleyslaw.com.fj Zealand
www.munroleyslaw.com

Islands Business, January 2019 29