Ban on Fiji goods

By MEMO HAUKE
PAPUA New Guinea will stop trading with Fiji because it has been putting up unnecessary trade restrictions on PNG products, according to Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru.
Maru warns Fiji that it should expect “a serious trade war against PNG” if it fails to explain satisfactorily why it is refusing to allow PNG products to the country. The products include Ox & Palm and Trukai Rice.
“Over the last 10 years, (trade) ministers before me had tried their best to push Fiji to remove the ban on Ox & Palm and Trukai,” he said.

“This never eventuated. Now is the time to take action.”
Last year, PNG exported K16.6 million worth of products to Fiji.
It imported K52.20 million worth of Fiji goods – a trade deficit of K35.60 million.
In 2014, PNG exported K4.4 million worth of goods to Fiji while importing K48.6 million.
Three months ago, Maru wrote to Fiji’s minister for tourism, trade and industry seeking clarification on the restrictions. No response was received.
“Also at the Melanesian Spearhead Group trade ministers meeting this year in Port Vila, I had arranged a meeting with the (Fiji) minister but he failed to show up,” Maru said.
“I was told by one of the officials later that they had received my letter and they will respond as soon as possible. But this has not eventuated.
“We have allowed Fiji to have a trade surplus with PNG for a long time and trade volumes are increasing.
“It is not about the volume, it’s the principle.
“If you want to come in and enjoy our open market, you must do the same to us.”
He said the Government would again write to Fiji’s minister for tourism, trade and industry “expressing our concern”.
He said if PNG did not respond within 14 days, “Fiji will look at a serious trade war against PNG”.
“We never wanted one but how long are we going to wait? Ten years is enough,” he said.
“It has come to the question whether PNG should continue to allow Fiji to dominate our market, or is it time for us to say no.
“We will not allow you to bring more products to our market unless you first accept our goods.
“We are a sovereign nation and allow an open market for other Pacific islands and we deserve the same respect.”