Sunday, August 14, 2011

Chief Trade Advisor not to be compromised by funding



Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries Lisiate Akolo
Pacific Trade Ministers maintain funding arrangements by development partners should not compromise the independence and integrity of the office of the Pacific Island Forum’s Chief Trade Advisor.
The issue received significant attention when Trade Ministers met in Vava’u.
The OCTA was established in 2009 to advise the Pacific Island Forum on the development of the regional trade agreement PACER Plus.
Australia and New Zealand have offered to continue funding, while New Zealand develops an agreement to provide support for OCTA to September 2011, and welcomed the work done by the OCTA towards an MOU framework for PACER Plus.
Chair of the meeting, Labour and Commerce Minister Hon. Lisiate ‘Akolo says the measure is in light of increasing attention towards the pace that PACER Plus is undertaken.
The issue went under fire when funders Australia and New Zealand pushed for the OCTA to operate strictly to PACER Plus.
“But some countries also wanted the Chief Trade Advisor to assist them on other trade agreements and negotiations. So a lot wanted the office to operate independently of any restrictions,” ‘Akolo told Tonga Chronicle.
“Also, the office is the intermediary on PACER Plus negotiations between the Pacific islands on one side, and Australia and New Zealand on the other, and since they’re also funding, it is only fair to make sure the office maintains its mandate,” ‘Akolo said.
He said the agreement was tentative, and is submitted for a final decision during the Forum leaders meeting in September.
Recently, Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Affairs Richard Marles told Tonga Chronicle that in Australia’s view, PACER Plus is more about finding markets in Australia for Pacific commodities.
‘Akolo confirmed, and said at the moment a majority of trade with Australia and New Zealand is “lobsided”, as they ship more to the islands than they receive.
“One of the areas of focus for PACER Plus at the moment is trade facilitation, and how we can even out the playing field,” he said.
He said trade negotiations had traditionally been negotiated by the Forum Secretariat, but due to significant Australian and New Zealand influence, the office of the Chief Trade Advisor was created.