A workshop took place in Port Moresby today to validate the final National Trade Policy.
The final document is a result of wider stakeholder consultation with European Union assistance under their Trade Related Assistance program-Phase 2 (EU TRA 2) by providing expertise.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Commerce and Industry had a local drafting team supported by local consultants put together this document.
The aim of the workshop was to allow stakeholders to go through the policy to give their inputs and see if there are any issues that need validating to allow the policy to fine tune.
The policy sets out very clearly the rationale for having a National Trade Policy, setting a clear vision and mission.
It also discusses in detail the policies that the Government needs to introduce to diversify the economy, create the internal environment for sustainable growth of PNG’s production of goods and services and addresses specific policy measures that the government will implement to support SMEs.
The policy will increase employment and opportunities especially through services trade, which is a growing area.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Commerce and Industry Secretary John Andrias said that we need to have a common approach to getting the trade policy in place.
Andrias said this will ensure that we gain from our negotiations with our trading partners whether it’s bilaterally, regionally, or multilaterally.
“We will have to provide an overview of what we have missed out in the last 40 years without a coherent trade policy and what will be the gains if we have a road map that will take us forward.
“Trade policy has not been given prominence because it has taken a backseat in the department,” Andrias said.
The Minister will present the final draft to Cabinet in August to have it endorsed and presented to Parliament.