I agree with you that the PACER Plus trade agreement is of questionable benefit for Tonga. But I do not share your concern for Tonga’s trade deficit. Over the last year, Tonga’s foreign reserves have increased about 19% to the equivalent of nearly 10 months’ imports. If the balance of trade were a problem for Tonga, its foreign reserves would be declining. - Leigh Harkness
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Results for PACER-Plus
Friday 11 December 2020
Queanbeyan, Australia
Monday 19 October 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Agreement will come into force on 13 December after the Cook Islands became the eighth signatory state to ratify it to be able to come into effect.
Thursday 3 September 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Pacific Network on Globalization (PANG) has called on Australia to rethink its current approach to trade and investment with the Pacific Islands and instead promote genuine avenues for development.
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Thursday 27 August 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Seven countries including Tonga have ratified the PACER-Plus agreement which will come into effect 60 days after the eighth country ratifies it.
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Wednesday 12 June 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A handful of church leaders and groups attended a public consultation session on the PACER-Plus Agreement on 10 June at the Wesleyan Church Moulten Hall, in Nuku’alofa. PACER-Plus promotes a free trade agreement between Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific countries.
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Thursday 31 August 2017
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
While Tonga argues over its protocol for signing the PACER Plus Trade Agreement, the other signatories and donor partners Australia and New Zealand say it is a matter for the Kingdom to sort out.
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Tuesday 23 August 2016
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Oxfam supports a recommendation that there be no decision on PACER-Plus until there is a fully-funded, no bias, independent assessment to allow Pacific people to make an informed decision about exactly what the agreement means.
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Thursday 16 June 2016
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Nadi, Fiji
Leading spokespersons for the Forum Island Countries on PACER Plus have come out slamming a PANG assessment they say is a "lopsided and inaccurate view" on PACER Plus, that was commissioned by the Pacific Network on Globalisation.
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Tuesday 14 June 2016
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Suva, Fiji
PACER-Plus trade talks may lead to serious implications for Pacific island countries with a range of concerns raised on gender, health, food and national sovereignty, states a report commissioned by the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG).
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Tuesday 8 December 2015
Suva, Fiji
PACER-Plus is shaping up as an agreement that won't fit into the Pacific reality, will have weak protections for Pacific businesses and undermines the ability of governments to enact policies to support and nurture vital Pacific industries. ...Ask any Pacific businesses person and they will tell you how hard it can be to run a business in the Pacific. ...An updated analysis shows that tariff revenue losses will actually be more than previously calculated: Pacific countries are set to lose more than USD 200 million per year (Tonga USD$6million).- Adam Wolfenden (PANG).
Friday 12 December 2014
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A network of civil groups in the Pacific has made a plea for Pacific Island Governments to end current free trade negotiations, ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum dialogue on PACER-Plus in Nadi today.
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Wednesday 10 December 2014
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Trade ministers and officials from 16 Pacific countries including Tonga will begin negotiations on a proposed regional free trade agreement known as PACER-Plus (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economy Relations) tomorrow, December 11, in Nadi, Fiji.
Tuesday 23 September 2014
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Australia
Australia's increased Aid-for-Trade focus is the same wine in different bottles. Aid-for-Trade, and its counterpart PACER-Plus, are really about ensuring that Pacific markets are open to Australian exports and securing Pacific engagement with the global economy on terms that disproportionately benefit the regions big brothers. - Adam Wolfenden.
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Thursday 18 July 2013
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Apia, Samoa
Trade Ministers from the Pacific Island Countries have been cautioned over the dangers of liberalising trade in services and investment. “Any binding commitments on services and investment will limit the policy space that the Pacific has to define and determine for itself how it wants to pursue its own development.” – Adam Wolfenden.
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