Fiji trade ban

Fiji still to respond to ban of PNG products

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.”

Fiji Government assessing trade report

That was confirmed by the Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry.

Meanwhile, Fiji's trade Ambassador to PNG Navitalai Tuivuniwai says they will now submit a detailed assessment report to Government before any official decision is made.

"The PNG Government, NAQIA and manufacturers co-operated and worked closely with the delegation in furnishing all relevant information," Tuivuniwai was reported today in Fiji Times.    

He said they were glad they were able to deal with the issue in the true Melanesian way without any third party interference.

Fiji and PNG trade feud to be ironed out

 “The Fijian team will work with their PNG counterparts to resolve the issue of biosecurity pathways and also discuss other trade issues that can facilitate bilateral trade,” Fiji’s Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya stated in a letter to his PNG counterpart.

“There for we request a meeting with your Ministry Officials and NAQIA on Monday. Furthermore, in order for the team to undertake technical assessments visit to the following facilities on the dates proposed are also part of the planned visits.”

PNG gives Fiji ultimatum on ban

The deadline is end of this month to uplift the ban of Ox and Palm and other products.   

In a letter from PNG’s Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister, Richard Maru, dated August, 22, in response to Fiji’s Trade Minister, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya’s letter (August 15), the Minister highlighted that Fiji’s response was unclear.

They did not clearly explain why Fiji continuously restricts PNG’s competitive products declared for personal consumption and for sampling purposes, said Maru.