News

Fiji to start negotiations with EU

November 22, 2012 12:06 am

Trade negotiations with the European Union will now gain more momentum following Fiji’s re-inclusion into the Pacific ACP yesterday.

Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Shaheen Ali says Pacific countries have been trying to reach an agreement on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) for some years now but without any success.

This latest development has brought new hope.

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“With now the Pacific ACP stays united and negotiating as a single region we stand the best chance of achieving the best deal possible with the EU.”
Ali also mentioned that now that Fiji is once again a part of the PACP, they will have enough bargaining power with the EU.

“We both agree that regional integration is the way to develop our islands but we need to be united and everyone needs to be included in the Pacific way for regional integration and trade development to progress.”

Ali explains the ability to trade key products such as sugar, fish and textiles to name a few will depend on the unity of PACP nations.