EU mission to visit country

 A mission from the European Commission Directorate General for Trade in Brussels (Belgium) will visit the country this week to review and discuss the implementation of a trade agreement between PNG and European Union.

The mission  will be led by Eelke Postema, trade affairs manager for the Pacific and trade coordinator, Yves Lecompte. 

European Union Ambassador Martin Dihm said, “The main objective of the mission is to review and discuss the implementation of the trade agreement between Papua New Guinea and the European Union (interim Economic Partnership Agreement iEPA). 

“The agreement has delivered strong benefits in terms of investments and jobs. 

“The team will have a close look at its implementation and how it can be further strengthened to deliver even more benefits in future.”

The European Union is the largest importer of Papua New Guinea’s non-mineral exports in particular agricultural and fishery products. 

According to the EU, exports have risen considerably following the conclusion of the trade agreement five years ago. 

The agreement allowed for duty free and quota free access to the large European Union market for all products made in PNG. The EU trade team will be in Port Moresby from Feb 17-19 and then Lae from Feb 20-21.

They are expected to pay a courtesy call to Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru and relevant officers of the Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry.

The team will then have exchanges with PNG Customs officials and private sector stakeholders in Port Moresby and in Lae. Among other issues, the mission will discuss the agenda for the upcoming 4th iEPA Trade Committee Meeting which is the high level forum under iEPA.