Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives and Small Medium Enterprises, Manoa Kamikamica, has stated that the country will not join the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus unless it proves to be beneficial. His comments came during the PACER Plus consultations held in Suva, as the coalition government reviews the potential for joining the trade and development pact.
Fiji has previously engaged in the PACER Plus negotiations but refrained from signing due to concerns that the agreement offered insufficient advantages to counterbalance potential risks and costs. Kamikamica emphasized that Fiji’s participation in negotiations was motivated by a commitment to regional cooperation and ensuring that trade agreements are effective tools for development.
While acknowledging the importance of enhancing trade in the Pacific, he remarked that this matter warrants careful consideration. He articulated that PACER Plus could lead to job creation, economic growth, and improved living standards by facilitating better market access and leveraging trade value.
Kamikamica also pointed out that the economic situation has evolved both domestically and globally, necessitating a thorough evaluation of whether the current form of the agreement aligns with Fiji’s development objectives and can address necessary structural changes in the economy. This includes diversification of exports, resilience in supply chains, and managing trade deficits, particularly with Australia and New Zealand.
He reiterated the government’s duty to ensure that any trade agreement they pursue is fair, equitable, development-focused, and advantageous for Fiji. The decision to consider joining PACER Plus should be made in the nation’s interest. Kamikamica emphasized the need to reassess whether remaining outside PACER Plus continues to serve Fiji’s best interests, asserting that it is essential to determine if the agreement can genuinely foster sustainable development as intended.