FICs Want Review of SPARTECA Rules of Origin
PRESS STATEMENT (93/07)
9th August 2007
FICs WANT REVIEW OF SPARTECA RULES OF ORIGIN
Forum Island Countries (FICs) have called for the review of the SPARTECA Rules of Origin to be done quickly with a view to improving market access for FIC products into Australia and New Zealand
And the review should be done quickly and independent of any consultations pertaining to negotiations on the PACER, the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations with Australia and New Zealand.
SPARTECA, which came into effect in 1980, is a non-reciprocal trade agreement under which the two developed nations of the Forum, Australia and New Zealand offer duty free or concessional access to products originating from the FICs.
During the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu, 2 – 3 August, Forum Trade Ministers considered a paper on the review of SPARTECA rules of origin and noted the need to continue to examine the rules regardless of the developments under the PACER. The importance of national consultations on SPARTECA rules of origin with the Private Sector was also stressed.
The Trade Ministers’ meeting also noted that Australia and New Zealand were ready to negotiate improved market access, including through rules of origin, which needs to go beyond SPARTECA towards a more comprehensive trade and economic cooperation arrangement.
Senior FIC trade officials, with the assistance from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, will now undertake national consultations with the private sector on the rules of origin and will report to an informal meeting of senior trade officials in early 2008 which will make recommendations to the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting on a way forward.
(ENDS)
For more information, contact Mr Sumbue Antas, Trade Facilitation Officer on phone 331 2600 or email Sumbuea@forumsec.org.fj.
9th August 2007
FICs WANT REVIEW OF SPARTECA RULES OF ORIGIN
Forum Island Countries (FICs) have called for the review of the SPARTECA Rules of Origin to be done quickly with a view to improving market access for FIC products into Australia and New Zealand
And the review should be done quickly and independent of any consultations pertaining to negotiations on the PACER, the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations with Australia and New Zealand.
SPARTECA, which came into effect in 1980, is a non-reciprocal trade agreement under which the two developed nations of the Forum, Australia and New Zealand offer duty free or concessional access to products originating from the FICs.
During the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu, 2 – 3 August, Forum Trade Ministers considered a paper on the review of SPARTECA rules of origin and noted the need to continue to examine the rules regardless of the developments under the PACER. The importance of national consultations on SPARTECA rules of origin with the Private Sector was also stressed.
The Trade Ministers’ meeting also noted that Australia and New Zealand were ready to negotiate improved market access, including through rules of origin, which needs to go beyond SPARTECA towards a more comprehensive trade and economic cooperation arrangement.
Senior FIC trade officials, with the assistance from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, will now undertake national consultations with the private sector on the rules of origin and will report to an informal meeting of senior trade officials in early 2008 which will make recommendations to the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting on a way forward.
(ENDS)
For more information, contact Mr Sumbue Antas, Trade Facilitation Officer on phone 331 2600 or email Sumbuea@forumsec.org.fj.
