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Business |
Review of tariff policies underway
Economic effects of
existing structure to undergo comprehensive assessment
By BAEAU TAI
THE National Government has initiated a review of Papua New
Guinea’s tariff policies.
Treasury, being the key department spearheading this review, has
commissioned Auckland Uniservices Ltd through Prof Robert Scollay
to undertake the independent review of the tariff review programme
(TRP) and the on-going tariff policy.
The review is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the
implementation of the TRP, including the costs and benefits of the
programme to the economy as a whole and to the different
stakeholders in the economy.
The review will look at the effect on promotion of downstream
processing of natural resources, the effect and implications of
the tariff structure resulting from the TRP, and the need (if any)
for adjustments to that tariff structure.
“Wide consultation with stakeholders is required,” Dr Scollay
said.
The review is to be guided by the overall objectives of the
Government for improvement of the economy, and is to take account
of PNG’s international obligations.
“PNG has binding obligations under its commitments to the WTO, and
non-binding obligations under its commitments to APEC.
It also has binding obligations under the PICTA and MSG trade
agreements, and some obligations also under PATCRA.
It is currently involved in negotiations for an economic
partnership agreement with the European Union, which may also
result in binding obligations,” Dr Scollay said.
During the review, Dr Scollay will be making visits to Port
Moresby, Lae, Madang, Goroka, Rabaul and Kimbe.
“My visits to major centres are to allow stakeholders the
opportunity to have input into the review and also to help me
better understand the impact of tariffs on different industries in
PNG,” he said.
His views on PNG tariff policy will be developed over the course
of the review, and will form a major part of his report to the PNG
Government at the end of the review.
“Whether my report is publicly released is for the PNG Government
to decide,” he said.
 
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