PACER

This was revealed by the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands and MSG chairman, Manasseh Sogavare, during a press conference at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

PACER Plus is a trade and economic integration agreement that aims to create jobs, raise standards of living and encourage sustainable economic development in the Pacific region.

Sogavare said they needed to discuss the issue at the MSG Leaders' Summit and were hoping to finalise the MSG trade agreement between the MSG countries by May this year.

14 Pacific Island Countries have been locked in six year negotiations with Australia and New Zealand over PACER Plus (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations). 

The Governor of Oro in Papua New Guinea, Gary Juffa, a strong critic of PACER Plus told PACNEWS in Suva that Pacific Island Parties have been taken for a ride by Australia and New Zealand, as revealed in the leaked negotiating text on ‘development and economic co-operation’ published on the PINA website.