by Serah Aupong – EM TV, Port Moresby
PACER Plus or the regional free trade agreement known as Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations will undermine the economic sovereignty of Pacific Island countries.
This is according to a pacific civil society organisation called the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG).
PANG is calling on Pacific Island Governments to walk away from this agreement as they say it threatens the livelihoods of Pacific Islanders.
Adam Wolfenden, a campaigner with PANG explained that negotiations on PACER Plus among Australia, New Zealand and 14 pacific island countries started in 2009.
The Pacific Network on Globalisation has been following these negotiations since then and maintains their reservations about this agreement.
“PACER Plus is about facilitating Australia and New Zealand’s exports whether in goods or services into the Pacific and that has huge implications on a lot of small medium enterprises who won’t be able to compete with bigger companies from Australia and New Zealand.”
Wolfenden says, another hidden impact is to do with the use and access to land.
“It may not necessarily or explicitly say no to islanders can own land but given the very tricky and complex nature of services and investments within PACER Plus then use and access to land starts to come under question.”
He says PANG have sighted leaked draft text that on services under PACER Plus that has confirmed much of their reservations.
