Solomon Islands Ready To Trade Under PICTA
PRESS STATEMENT 237/07
21st December 2007 SOLOMON ISLANDS READY TO TRADE UNDER PICTA Solomon Islands is the latest Forum Island Country that has announced its readiness to trade under the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA). The Government of the Solomon Islands confirmed that the necessary national procedural and legal requirements to implement PICTA have been completed. “PICTA provides another opportunity for the Solomon Islands besides the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Trade Agreement to trade under preferential terms within the region”, the Solomon Island’s Director of Trade, Hence Vaekesa said. He encouraged the Solomon Islands’ Private Sector to make use of this opportunity and actively engage in trade with the Forum Island Countries (FICs). This announcement makes the Solomon Islands the fifth country which has formally announced the completion of domestic requirements to enable trading under PICTA. Importers and exporters from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa and Solomon Islands can immediately benefit from PICTA trade preferences. “Solomon Islands’ completion of the necessary arrangements to engage in PICTA trade is a positive step”, Feleti Teo, Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat said. He urged the rest of the Forum Island Countries to work expeditiously towards implementing PICTA. Pacific Leaders have given high priority to the implementation of PICTA in the Pacific Plan. (ENDS) For further information, you may contact: Shiu Raj Trade Policy Adviser (Pacific Island Countries' Trade Agreement) Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji Islands Phone (+679) 3220380/3312600 Fax (+679) 3312226 E-mail: shiur@forumsec.org.fj Website: www.forumsec.org |
2007