Page 25 - IB MAY 2017

Fisheries
PACER-Plus
Forum seeks regional support

Saving face

IN a face-saving gesture, regional
private sector and civil society organi-
sations will have an opportunity for
informed discussions on PACER-Plus
prior to the signing of the Agreement.
This is after the region’s two largest
economies – Fiji and Papua New Guinea
– decided not to sign the agreement in
its current form.
The 7th regional Non-State Actors
Dialogue is being planned for the 29th
of May ahead of the signing, which is
scheduled for June.
The Secretary General of the Pa-
cific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor,
welcomed the progress made on the
Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic
Relations (PACER) Plus negotiations, Meg Taylor presides over a Leaders meeting. Photo: File
and encouraged participating non-state
actor organisations to continue playing have refused to endorse the final text, essential services for vulnerable popu-
their important role in advancing the saying it did not recognise their need to lations.
Agreement. develop their industries. “Pacific Island governments should
“It is critical that the region take an “PNG and Fiji’s rejection shows that not be pressured to sign an agreement
inclusive approach to the finalisation of the agreement is heavily skewed to- that is not in the interests of their
the PACER Plus text, and its implemen- wards the interests of Australia and peoples.”
tation going forward,” Taylor said New Zealand – despite early rhetoric that Australia has said there is no way
“The involvement of the private sec- the agreement was about development back from the deal and negotiations
tor and the civil society, as appropriate, needs,” said Dr Ranald. with PNG and Fiji will not be re-opened.
in the execution of the PACER Plus is “The negotiations have been con- Despite the strong objections of Fiji
extremely important.” ducted in secret but leaked documents and PNG to the PACER-Plus deal, Aus-
“The purpose of the Pacific Islands revealed many issues of concern to Pa- tralia has refused to amend the pact or
Forum is to strengthen regional co- cific Island civil society groups. “ make concessions.
operation and integration in order Australian and New Zealand govern- Sir Mekere Morauta’s report on the
to further Members’ shared goals of ments have been accused of pressuring Pacific Plan Review highlighted the need
economic growth, sustainable develop- vulnerable economies into a deal which to strengthen regional cooperation, col-
ment, good governance and security,” does not benefit them. laboration and integration initiatives in
said Dame Meg. Pacific Island countries already have the Pacific region.
“PACER Plus provides a framework tariff-free access for their goods in Aus- “Through the Framework for Pacific
toward regional economic development tralia, so they get no extra market ac- Regionalism, a deeper commitment to
and integration.” cess. The main purpose of PACER-Plus is regionalism and promotion of priori-
At their annual meeting in 2016, to reduce tariffs on Pacific Island imports tised agendas for the region through an
Forum Leaders reiterated the need for from Australia and New Zealand and inclusive consultative process is being
PACER Plus to promote regional inte- to reduce the ability of governments to actively facilitated. PACER Plus ar-
gration in the Pacific, and to assist the regulate foreign investment in services rangements can assist the region in this
Forum Island Countries achieve robust and other sectors. course,” added the Secretary General.
economic growth and sustainable de- “Tariff reductions would lead to sig- The Trade Ministers of Australia, the
velopment. nificant revenue losses for smaller Pacific Cook Islands, the Federated States of
But economics expert, Dr Patricia Island countries, which could impact Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zea-
Ranald, said Australia should not on the ability of these governments to land, Niue, the Republic of the Marshall
proceed with the PACER-Plus trade provide essential services to their popu- Islands, Palau, Samoa, the Solomon
deal between itself, New Zealand and lations,” said Dr Ranald. Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu re-
only 12 of the original 14 Pacific Island “Trade-in-services rules could also centlyconcluded negotiations for PACER
countries. Dr Ranald said the two largest create pressure for privatisation and Plus and have decided to sign the Agree-
economies, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, reduce the ability of governments to ment in Tonga in June.
regulate to provide equitable access to n Staff reporters/ PIFS communications

Islands Business, May 2017 25