The Coalition Government is enhancing Fiji’s access to the European Union (EU) through the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA). As part of this agreement, Fiji is required to offer reciprocal trade conditions, allowing certain EU products to be imported into the country without duties.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica, emphasized the importance of fulfilling these commitments. He warned that failing to reciprocate could jeopardize Fiji’s duty-free access to the EU for its exports under the IEPA, threatening the current export volumes.
“Implementing our market access obligations under the IEPA is vital,” Mr. Kamikamica stated in his ministerial address. He explained that Fiji must open its markets to EU goods as dictated by the IEPA, which involves eliminating tariffs and taxes on certain imports to facilitate the entry of EU products into Fiji.
To ensure compliance with the tariff elimination agreed upon in the IEPA, Fiji plans to establish a dedicated team responsible for overseeing these changes and ensuring their proper implementation.
Despite signing the IEPA in 2009 and provisionally applying it in July 2014, Fiji had not fully enacted its provisions, including the necessary reductions in duties as part of its market access obligations.
Mr. Kamikamica noted that since signing the agreement, Fiji has gained significant benefits, particularly in its sugar industry, as EU countries account for up to 90 percent of Fiji’s total sugar exports. He remarked that the EU has consistently provided a reliable market for Fiji’s exports, significantly contributing to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings and creating job opportunities.
The IEPA has also enabled the export of various goods, including tuna, ginger, mineral water, and garments, with exports to the EU reaching a record high of $132.4 million in 2022.
The government is committed to maintaining ongoing communication with the EU to address any issues that may arise during the implementation of the IEPA commitments.