PACER Plus

According to RNZI, the report, by the Pacific Network on Globalisation, or PANG, was based on leaked negotiating texts from talks on the regional agreement, which is still being finalised.

It accuses Australia and New Zealand of aggressively advancing their own interests, at the expense of their smaller neighbours, and called for a proper impact assessment.

One of the report's chapters was written by Auckland University's Jane Kelsey, a prominent critic of free trade agreements.

The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) is set to be signed in June by Pacific Island countries with Australia and New Zealand.

“In principle, we support increased market access opportunities and agreements which improve transparency and processes for inward and outward trade,” said the Manufacturing Council of PNG chief executive officer Chey Scovell.

He told Loop PNG that he cannot comment on the draft of the PACER Plus agreement as he had yet to see it.

PNG’s Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry Richard Maru is currently on an official visit to Fiji and held a meeting with Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya this afternoon to show their full support.

Minister Maru says PNG can only sign PACER Plus if they are convincing and compelling reasons to do so.