Trade

The Melanesian Spearhead Group has finalised the text of its trade agreement at a meeting in New Caledonia today.

With the MSGTA3 due to be signed on November the 16th, delegates have been in Noumea this week negotiating the text.

The current agreement only refers to goods, while the new one will include services, investment, telecommunications, e-commerce and labour mobility.

The programme manager of trade and investment for the MSG Secretariat, John Licht, says Papua New Guinea has been pressed to relax its visa requirements, in line with the other MSG countries.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) will be holding a series of key trade meetings and trade events over the next two weeks in Noumea, New Caledonia. 

This is setting up to be an exciting and historic meeting for the MSG with Trade Ministers from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu expected to sign a revised, modern and comprehensive trade agreement known as MSGTA 3 on Monday 16 November.

The MSG Trade Agreement, which has been in operation for over 20 years, has been primarily focused on trade in goods but in the revised agreement known as MSGTA 3, it will include Trade in Services, and new chapters such as Labour Mobility, Investment, and Telecommunications. 

While progress has been made on a number of chapters, officials have been held up on some key issues - working out the implementation realities, ensuring that the interpretations are clear, and seeking more time to consult with other government agencies and governments.