Papua New Guinea will not be a signatory to the Pacific Free Trade deal in June.
“With the current agreement, PNG will not sign unless we are happy with the agreement,” Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry Richard Maru told Loop PNG.
“We have disagreement on some of the chapters, that we are yet to work the out details of.
“Basically we are saying that if you want an open market we will not allow it because it will be bad for our local industry.”
He added that the issues of disagreement are now been communicated.
The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus agreement (PACER Plus) is now being opposed by PNG and Fiji.
PACER Plus was introduced by Australia and New Zealand at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in 2009.
At the Pacific Free Trade talks in Brisbane, Australia early this month, outgoing PNG director general of trade Max Rai said; “PNG's position is that it is not ready to sign PACER Plus.
“PNG is concerned that the development of our local industries will be threatened by the heavily subsidised and technologically advanced industries in Australia and New Zealand.”
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website states that, “PACER Plus negotiations offer an opportunity to help Pacific Islands Forum countries benefit from enhanced regional trade and economic integration.”