Private Observer
I REFER to the article in the Post-Courier on
February 1 as a free citizen of this country.
In this globalised world, international trade is an important economic conduit for growth and must be harnessed smartly and properly.
In this globalised world, international trade is an important economic conduit for growth and must be harnessed smartly and properly.
Emerging economies have harnessed trade with full backing of the governments and
have made trade as a priority sector and given a high ranking 1st or 2nd
ministries in their government structures like in Malyasia, Singapore, Thailand,
Taiwan, China, India, etc, hence, have reaped the results as we know.
In Papua New Guinea, we are so blessed with resources with greater comparative advantages, however, we do trade on adhoc basis and individual industries develop trade policies and plans in isolation because there is no government trade policy.
As a result, PNG lacks passion and vision for driving on trade issues thought important for private sector.
Over the years, successive governments pendullum trade function back and forth between the departments of Commerce and Industry and Foreign Affairs and Trade about nine times.
In Papua New Guinea, we are so blessed with resources with greater comparative advantages, however, we do trade on adhoc basis and individual industries develop trade policies and plans in isolation because there is no government trade policy.
As a result, PNG lacks passion and vision for driving on trade issues thought important for private sector.
Over the years, successive governments pendullum trade function back and forth between the departments of Commerce and Industry and Foreign Affairs and Trade about nine times.
In the process, various trade functions and officers were lost thus reducing
significant function of the government.
Currently under DFAT, the Trade Division is still surviving and perfoming its functions and mainting its dialogue between both public and private stakeholders.
To my understanding the Trade Division in 2012 commenced national and regional consultations on developing Trade Policy Framework and I happen to attend one.
The Trade Division while custodian of the Trade Policy undertakes other mandatory functions such as trade negotiations and trade promotion, as focal point for WTO and APEC related matters.
Currently under DFAT, the Trade Division is still surviving and perfoming its functions and mainting its dialogue between both public and private stakeholders.
To my understanding the Trade Division in 2012 commenced national and regional consultations on developing Trade Policy Framework and I happen to attend one.
The Trade Division while custodian of the Trade Policy undertakes other mandatory functions such as trade negotiations and trade promotion, as focal point for WTO and APEC related matters.
The establishment of a Trade Commission via the appointment of a Trade
Commissioner is a way forward as it is in line with the NEC Directives and is
already captured in the draft Trade Policy framework.
The Trade Commissioner must consult DFAT Trade officers to know what is been carried out by the Division thus far and work with them rather than doing his own things.
This is because his functions directly falls under Trade in DFAT. Do it properly for the national interest and not for any political games.
Have a round table to find a way forward.
The Trade Commissioner must consult DFAT Trade officers to know what is been carried out by the Division thus far and work with them rather than doing his own things.
This is because his functions directly falls under Trade in DFAT. Do it properly for the national interest and not for any political games.
Have a round table to find a way forward.
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