Pacific countries prepare for introduction of PACER-Plus [1]
Thursday, August 27, 2020 - 18:36. Updated on Monday, September 28, 2020 - 14:17.
Seven countries including Tonga have ratified the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER-Plus).
The agreement needs eight ratifications before it can come into effect.
PACER-Plus promotes a free trade agreement between Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific countries.
Preparations have begun with five signatory countries (Tonga, Kiribati, Samoa, Cook Islands and Tuvalu) working with the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) recently to draft Guidelines on Customs Procedures and Rules of Origin.
Officers from Tonga’s Ministry of Revenue and Customs and Ministry of Trade and Economic Development took part in drafting the guidelines.
The guidelines are intended to improve customs officials and traders’ understanding of PACER-Plus and overall improve trading between the countries.
Border measures
Head of OCO, Richard Brennan said the countries are already implementing some of these border measures, but having a common guideline for customs administrations will be critical in the successful implementation of the agreement.
“A better understanding of the agreement and its provisions by customs officers and traders will achieve one of the aims of the agreement, which is to facilitate and increase regional trade in the Pacific.”
He said customs administrations in the OCO region will play a critical role in the implementation of PACER-Plus when it comes into force, particularly in the Trade in Goods, Customs Procedures and Rules of Origin provisions.
PACER-Plus aims to support sustainable economic development through job creation and private sector growth by providing a platform for increasing regional trade, investment and labour flows.
Eleven countries
The eleven countries who have signed the agreement are: Tonga, Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
However, only seven countries have completed ratification of the agreement (Tonga, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Niue). One more country is required to ratify it before it can come into effect 60 days after the ratification. Cook Islands has signalled its intent to ratify.