Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru is optimistic after the site visit by the Fiji delegation will result in lifting of the ban on certain PNG Made Products into its market.
Minister Maru last month bluntly issued threats to ban certain Fiji made products into the bigger PNG market if its Melanesian neighbour do not explain why Ox and Palm, Paradise Biscuits and Trukai Rice are banned.
This resulted in the Fiji Government sending its Trade Commissioner to PNG Navitalai Tuivuniwai Biosecurity Authority (BAF) of Fiji chief veterinarian Dr Sian Watson, BAF chief plant protection officer Nilesh Ami Chand, and BAF trade facilitation and compliance team leader Ronal Prasad over the weekend to Port Moresby.
The round table discussion started this morning and will be followed by site inspections of the three manufacturers of the products in the next few days.
When welcoming the Fiji delegation, Maru thanked the Fiji Government for approving the trip to solve the issue.
“The issue had been around for 12 years is a small issue an I expect both our teams to cooperate and work together for the next few days and I will do whatever on my part, including calling the CEOs of the companies concern to make sure that we get all the information that is required so you can complete the task given to you.
“This is our expectation and hope that over the next few days the so-called impasse will be a thing of the past and we can move on to bigger MSG Trade agreement number three,” Maru said.
The Fiji delegation will also hold discussion with the Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Department of Prime Minister and NEC, NAQIA, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Department of Justice and Attorney General.