Fiji still to respond to ban of PNG products

Papua New Guinea has yet to receive a response from the Government of Fiji following a bio-security assessment of banned PNG Made products was done nearly three months ago.

Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry Richard Maru confirmed a letter had already been written to the Fiji Government three weeks ago about the delay in the decision after a fact finding trip to Port Moresby and Lae by a Fiji delegate.

Minister Maru said his department is following protocol to get a response. 

 “We are not happy with the delay and have summoned the Fiji High Commissioner in Fiji to chase it up with them.”

This followed Fiji’s Biosecurity Authority executive chair, Xavier Riyaz Khan, and Fiji’s Trade Commissioner to PNG, Navitalai Tuivuniwai, travelling with a delegation to Port Moresby in September to defuse a looming trade war.

Tuivuniwai told Loop PNG in October from Fiji that a final decision will be known soon.

“Right now the technical team from the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji are in the process of submitting the final report to government for their endorsement,” Tuivuniwai said.  

The Fiji delegation, after talks with relevant government departments, visited the manufacturers of banned products like Ox and Palm canned meat, Paradise Biscuits and Trukai Rice.

Fiji had banned the products for the last 12 years, which got the ire of Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Richard Maru.

Maru issued a threat to ban the importation of Fiji made products if the Fiji Government did not explain the reasons of the ban. This resulted in the visit by the Fiji delegation.

 

Author: 
Charles Yapumi