The Australian Government believes Fiji stands to benefit from the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations or PACER Plus.
PACER Plus is a regional free trade agreement between Pacific Island countries, New Zealand and Australia.
Minister for the International Development and the Pacific Steven Ciobo says Fiji could greatly benefit from the agreement – one that Fiji’s Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya is critical of, saying it hasn’t delivered.
He made these comments at the Fiji-Australia Business Council meet yesterday.
“PACER PLUS Agreement will support Fiji in its economic growth and economic and development aspirations. It is our view that Fiji has much to gain from PACER PLUS. It will make a significant contribution to increase foreign investment to lowering costs and expanding into the services trade and ensure aid is appropriately targeted.”
Minister for Trade Faiyaz Koya doesn’t agree he’s openly said that Pacer Plus does not provide binding commitments in labour mobility or development cooperation.
The Fiji government also disagrees with PACER Plus replacing the South Pacific regional trade and economic Co-operation agreement (SPARTECA).
