PRESS STATEMENT 80/07
23rd July 2007

PICTA PARTIES MEET IN VANUATU
The Forum Island Countries (FICs) are meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu tomorrow (24th July) to consider various implementation issues and discuss the extension of the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) to several other countries in the region.
More specifically, the meeting will provide an update on PICTA implementation focusing on:

• Current status of PICTA implementation;
• Extension of PICTA to include the French and US Pacific Territories;
• PICTA Rules of Origin;
• PICTA Social Impact Assessment trainings; and
• PICTA Negative list;

The meeting will also discuss a way forward in relation to issues including:

• Treatment of Alcohol and Tobacco in PICTA;
• Inclusion of Government Procurement rules to be part of PICTA; and
• Development of detailed procedures and guidelines for PICTA Dispute Settlement Procedures.

The outcomes of the PICTA Parties meeting will be forwarded to the Pacific ACP Trade Officers Meeting for deliberations and onward transmission to the Pacific ACP Trade Ministers Meeting to be held 31 July  1 August in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

ENDS

For more information contact Mr Shiu Raj, the Forum's Trade Policy Adviser (PICTA) on phone 678 22934 or email: shiur@forumsec.org.fj.