The Forum Island Countries (FICs) agreed to foster and strengthen trade in the Pacific region through the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA). Believing that an expansion of trading links among the FICs will bring economic and social benefits and improve the living standards of all the peoples of the Pacific region and recognising the desirability of a clearly established and secure framework of rules for trade under conditions of fair competition in the Pacific region, the FICs have over the years progressed the implementation of PICTA.
The objectives of the Parties to PICTA are to strengthen, expand and diversify trade between the FICs through the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade between the Parties in a gradual and progressive manner, under an agreed timetable, and with a minimum of disruption. The overall objective is to promote and facilitate commercial, industrial, agricultural and technical co-operation between the Parties and further the development and use of the resources of the Pacific region with a view to the eventual creation of a single regional market among the Pacific Island economies in accordance with the respective social and economic objectives of the Parties.
PICTA Trade in Goods
The FIC Leaders and Ministers have continuously renewed their commitment to PICTA. There are currently seven FICs, namely the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu that have implemented the necessary domestic arrangements and announced their readiness to trade under the provisions of PICTA. The remaining FICs continue to progress their implementation of PICTA.
The FICs Parties to PICTA that have announced readiness to trade under PICTA commenced benefiting from PICTA preferences since 1 January 2007.
PICTA signed in 2001 (pdf)
Amendments to PICTA (pdf)
PICTA Status Report (pdf)
PICTA RoO Manual (pdf)
PICTA Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
Pacific Island Countries Key Trade Statistics - SPC PRISM Links
Click on the following links to access country information to facilitate PICTA trade:
- Cook Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Niue
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Studies and Reports on PICTA Trade in Goods
- Study on Government Procurement Practices in Forum Island Countries
- Conceptual Framework for the PICTA Temporary Movement of Natural Persons (TMNP) Scheme
- Assessment of the Extent of Trade Liberalisation in PICs and Review of the PICTA
- Pre-feasibility of the PSME
- The Potential Impact of PICTA on Smaller Forum Island Nations - Final Report - June 2007
- The Inclusion of Alcohol and Tobacco Products in the PICTA
PICTA Trade in Services
Forum Trade Ministers at their meeting in 2001 endorsed in principle the introduction of trade in services into the PICTA based on a gradual, flexible approach, with transition periods where appropriate. The Forum Island Countries have concluded seven rounds of negotiations on the PICTA trade in services arrangement. The 7th round of PICTA trade in services negotiation was held in February 2012.
The PICTA TIS Protocol was endorsed by FIC Leaders and opened for signature on 28 August 2012. To date, 9 countries have signed the Protocol: the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
PICTA Trade in Services Protocol (August 2012)
An Overview of PICTA trade in services negotiations (December 2012)
PICTA Trade in Services Protocol Status Update (April 2013)
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