PACER Plus

Negotiations on PACER Plus Concluded

PACER Plus aims to create jobs, raise standards of living and encourage sustainable economic development in the Pacific region. 

Oxfam NZ supports calls for 'no decision' on PACER PLUS

RNZ reports the region's trade ministers are preparing to meet in Christchurch this Friday to further discuss the agreement.

Negotiations started in 2009 and are on track to wrap up later this year.

A report from the Pacific Network on Globalisation has warned that PACER-Plus poses significant threats to island nations' governments.

It said this included threats to their right to regulate, the right to food, significant negative health impacts and disproportionate impacts on women.

Pacific countries condemn 'misleading' statements on PACER Plus

RNZ reports the Australia and New Zealand led negotiations for the "Trade and Development" arrangements are due to wind up this month with the signing and ratification set to take place by December.

But the Pacific Network on Globalisation has consistently opposed PACER PLUS, saying it favours Australia and New Zealand and raises concerns about sovereignty.

PANG has repeatedly called for a halt to negotiations until an independent impact assessment of the proposed deal is conducted.

Report condemns PACER Plus process

According to RNZI, the report, by the Pacific Network on Globalisation, or PANG, was based on leaked negotiating texts from talks on the regional agreement, which is still being finalised.

It accuses Australia and New Zealand of aggressively advancing their own interests, at the expense of their smaller neighbours, and called for a proper impact assessment.

One of the report's chapters was written by Auckland University's Jane Kelsey, a prominent critic of free trade agreements.

Pacific trade advisor confident of PACER flexibility

Edwini Kessie's comment comes after Papua New Guinea and Fiji poured cold water on the current form of PACER Plus.

Pacific Islands Forum leaders last September said they wanted PACER Plus negotiations, which began in 2009, to be concluded by mid-2016.

Tariff loophole to be created for PACER Plus

Edwini Kessie says the infant industry clause has been agreed to in principle and if finalised will allow island nations to choose areas they would like to tax, with the possibility of re-instating tariffs on industries previously classified as duty free.

Dr Kessie says the clause will make for a unique agreement.

Forum ministers seek to accelerate PACER Plus

The announcement came at the end of the Pacific Islands Forum Trade Minister meeting in Rarotonga, which was attended by representatives from 14 Pacific countries plus Australia and New Zealand.

The ministers also agreed to intensify consultations with civil society and public sector organisations to try and enhance Pacific countries' presence in international trade.