THE Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) does not speak for Forum Island Countries (FIC) on trade negotiations like the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus).
This was the view expressed by lead speakers for FICs — lead spokesperson Joseph Ma’ahanua and deputy spokespersons Tessie Lambourne and Kulu Bloomfield — after discussions with non-state actors in Nadi last week.
“We do not share their lopsided and inaccurate views on the PACER Plus negotiations or the conclusions contained in their Social Impact Assessment, which apparently was carried out on the basis of outdated negotiating texts and without access to the Parties’ draft commitments on trade in goods, trade in services and investment,” the spokepersons said.
FICs acknowledged the engagement of non-state actors at the Sixth Non State Actors Dialogue workshop in Nadi, but dismissed claims by PANG.
“Such discussions were welcomed by the participants as another opportunity to clarify the misconceptions about PACER Plus,” they said.
PANG is a civil society organisation based in Suva.
