The one-sided trade favouring Philippines must change says Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry Richard Maru.
Maru in a media conference this morning revealed that it was one of the issues he raised with his Philippines counterpart during the Bilateral Trade Meeting at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru.
He said now a formal diplomatic letter will be written to the Philippines Government raising the issue and request for a Duty Free Market for PNG goods exported to the Asian country of over 100 million people.
Minister Maru said currently the trading of goods favour Philippines.
“More than 30, 000 Filipinos are working in Papua New Guinea.
“75 per cent of tuna caught in PNG waters are taken to Philippines to be processed.”
He also stated an increase in PNG citizens getting educated and medical treatments in Philippines, as examples.
Maru said the trade imbalance must change and getting free market access to the populated Philippines market will help to sell the country’s agriculture, fisheries and other products.