FICs to progress PICTA Trade-in-Services Agreement
PRESS STATEMENT 16/09
21st April 2009
FORUM ISLAND COUNTRIES TO PROGRESS NEGOTIATIONS OF THE PICTA TRADE-IN-SERVICES AGREEMENT
Senior officials from the 14 Forum Island Countries (FICs) will meet in Nadi, Fiji from 22-24 April 2009 for the third round of negotiations of a trade-in-services agreement among themselves.
The trade-in-services agreement being negotiated is part of the region’s vision of broadening the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) which currently covers trade in goods only, to also include trade in services.
“Creating an enabling environment for trade in services is crucial for the economic development of our region. The FICs’ initiative to open up their economies among themselves in identified areas through commitments in a services agreement is necessary,” said Tuiloma Neroni Slade, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Mr Slade added: “The liberalisation of services, if managed properly, can induce efficiency, lower costs and bring in investment that create employment for the FICs.”
The negotiations will focus on the legal text of the agreement and the FICs’ revised offers and requests for the opening up of their economy in selected services sectors. Since the conclusion of the second round of negotiations in July 2008, the FIC trade officials have been involved in refining their offers and requests, and undertaking further consultations with relevant authorities, including the private sector.
“While the FICs are working towards concluding the PICTA trade in services agreement hopefully later this year, there is, however, an acknowledgement that the FICs are at different levels of preparedness regarding their engagement in trade in services liberalization,” Mr Slade said.
Mr Slade added: “The need for the FICs to invest in regulatory reforms as part of their liberalization initiatives is vital. The Forum Secretariat is working with Members to assist them in this process as well.”
In line with the Ministerial mandate to support skilled labour mobility within the region, the FIC officials will also consider a draft conceptual framework for the temporary movement of natural persons amongst the FICs. The officials will be discussing a detailed proposal for increased mobility of skilled professionals in the FICs.
(Ends)
For further information contact Mr Shiu Raj, Trade Policy Adviser (PICTA) on shiur@forumsec.org.fj
21st April 2009
FORUM ISLAND COUNTRIES TO PROGRESS NEGOTIATIONS OF THE PICTA TRADE-IN-SERVICES AGREEMENT
Senior officials from the 14 Forum Island Countries (FICs) will meet in Nadi, Fiji from 22-24 April 2009 for the third round of negotiations of a trade-in-services agreement among themselves.
The trade-in-services agreement being negotiated is part of the region’s vision of broadening the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) which currently covers trade in goods only, to also include trade in services.
“Creating an enabling environment for trade in services is crucial for the economic development of our region. The FICs’ initiative to open up their economies among themselves in identified areas through commitments in a services agreement is necessary,” said Tuiloma Neroni Slade, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Mr Slade added: “The liberalisation of services, if managed properly, can induce efficiency, lower costs and bring in investment that create employment for the FICs.”
The negotiations will focus on the legal text of the agreement and the FICs’ revised offers and requests for the opening up of their economy in selected services sectors. Since the conclusion of the second round of negotiations in July 2008, the FIC trade officials have been involved in refining their offers and requests, and undertaking further consultations with relevant authorities, including the private sector.
“While the FICs are working towards concluding the PICTA trade in services agreement hopefully later this year, there is, however, an acknowledgement that the FICs are at different levels of preparedness regarding their engagement in trade in services liberalization,” Mr Slade said.
Mr Slade added: “The need for the FICs to invest in regulatory reforms as part of their liberalization initiatives is vital. The Forum Secretariat is working with Members to assist them in this process as well.”
In line with the Ministerial mandate to support skilled labour mobility within the region, the FIC officials will also consider a draft conceptual framework for the temporary movement of natural persons amongst the FICs. The officials will be discussing a detailed proposal for increased mobility of skilled professionals in the FICs.
(Ends)
For further information contact Mr Shiu Raj, Trade Policy Adviser (PICTA) on shiur@forumsec.org.fj
